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Romance  of  the  charter  oak  : 


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ROMANCE  s\ 


OF  THE 


CHARTER    OAK 


A  Picture  of  Colonial  Times 


By  WILLIAM  SETON.  LL.D. 

Author  of  Pride  of  Lexington,     Rachel's    Fate,     The    Pioneer,    The 
Shamrock  Gone  West,  Poor  Millionaire,  &c. 


NEW  EDITION 


NEW   YORK 

O'SHEA  &  COMPANY 

10  BARCLAY  STREET 


Notice  of  the  first  editioii  of 

Romance  of  tho  Charter  Oaky 

in  the  Evening  Post  of  April  12th,   i8j i.from  the 
pen  of  Mr,  Thompson  its  Literary  Editor, 

The  long  neglected  field  of  romance  to  be  found  in  the 
colonial  history  of  America  has  been  lately  worked  anew  and 
with  profit  by  Mr.  Wm.  Seton,  who  has  woven  an  interesting 
plot  around  the  memorable  episode  in  Connecticut  annals  of 
the  rescue  of  the  charter  from  the  clutches  of  Sir  Edmond 
Andres,  in  1687. 

Mr.  Seton  reproduces  the  social  life  of  that  early  period  in 
a  manner  at  once  vivid  and  vraisembla72t,  and  it  is  abundantly 
evident  that  he  has  carefully  studied  not  only  the  legislation 
and  political  events,  but  the  domestic  architecture,  the  cos- 
tume, furniture,  popular  amusements  and  habitudes  of  the 
time. 

A  very  stately  figure  moves  through  the  story  in  the  person 
of  Goffe,  the  regicide,  who  was  so  long  concealed  in  different 
hiding  places  in  New  England  from  the  pursuit  of  of  the  re- 
stored Stuarts,  and  whose  sudden  reappearance  to  repel  a  foray 
of  Indians  at  Deerfield  is  mentioned  by  Sir  Walter  Scott.  The 
regicide  is  in  old  age  when  introduced  to  us  by  Mr.  Seton, 
and  takes  no  important  part  in  the  action  of  the  story,  but  he 
is  still  threatened  with  the  vengeance  of  the  throne,  then  filled 
by  James  II  ,  and  the  risk  of  his  discovery  lends  additional 
interest  to  the  fortunes  of  his  lovely  daughter,  Lydia  Goffe,  the 
heroine  of  Mr.  Seton 's  volume. 

30615 


IV  PREFACE. 

country,  to  make  insurrection,   and  subvert 
the  government." 

Palfrey,  in  his  History  of  New  England, 
Vol.  III.,  page  579,  likewise  speaks  of  this 
conspiracy: — "The  author  of  a  piece  which 
I  read  in  the  British  State  Paper  Office,  'Ee- 
tlections  on  a  pamphlet  lately  come  abroad, 
entitled,  Reasons  for  the  Confirmation  of 
the  Charters  belonging  to  the  Several  Colo- 
nies of  New  England,'  declares  that  'the  sub- 
version of  kingly  government  and  the  re-es- 
tablishment of  their  commonwealth  in  New 
England  was  long  contrived  before  they  knew 
anything  of  the  Prince  of  Orange's  arrival  or 
design,'  etc.  Also,  '  that  such  was  their  de- 
sign to  rend  themselves  from  the  crown  of 
England,  will  appear  from  the  free  and  open 
confession  of  some  well  known  in  that  con- 
spiracy, who  have  since  declared  by  wit- 
nesses of  undeniable  truth,  now  here  in  Eng- 
land, that  the  design  of  seizing  upon  Sir  Ed- 
mund Andros,  and  subverting  kingly  govern- 
ment in  New  England,  had  been  long  con- 
trived and  resolved  on,  and  was  to  have  been 


PREFACE.  V 

done  the  beginning  of  January,  1688,  and  that 
those  concerned  in  the  late  revolution  were 
to  have  acted  the  like  parts,  at  which  time 
was  no  account  of  the  Prince  of  Orange's  in- 
tention of  coming  into  England  known  in  that 
land.* 

In  giving  the  burial-places  of  the  Rever- 
ends Hooker  and  Stone,  we  have  not  been 
quite  correct.  While  many  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Hartford  were  interred  near  the  first 
meeting-house,  these  ministers  were  buried  in 
a  plot  bought  in  1640,  of  Eichard  Olmsted, 
which  was  situated  about  a  hundred  yards 
south  of  the  green,  and  on  the  west  side  of 
Main  street.  W^  S. 


ROMANCE 


CHAKTEE    OAK. 


CHAPTEE  I. 


It  was  a  January  evening  in  tlie  year  1687.  The 
ground  was  covered  witli  snoWj  which  had  been 
falhng  steadily  for  two  days,  accompanied  by  a 
gale  from  the  north-east,  so  piercing  that  no  living 
creature  could  stand  against  it,  and  the  deer  and 
the  wolves  had  sought  refuge  in  the  densest  thick- 
ets. The  open  landscape  seemed  to  be  covered 
with  great  white  billows,  while  in  front  of  the  cabin 
where  Lydia  Goffe  and  Prudence  Garlic  dwelt, 
there  was  such  a  huge  drift  that  the  entrance  to  it 
was  quite  blocked  up.  This  humble  abode  stood 
not  far  from  the  right  bank  of  the  Connecticut 
river,  but  just  now  the  stream  was  thickly  frozen 
and  so  hidden  beneath  the  snow  that  you  wotJd 
not  have  discovered  it  except  for  the  air-holes 
through  which,  here  and  there,  the  blue  water 
peeped  out.  Around  the  house  eight  acres  had 
been  cleared  and  reduced  to  cultivation,  while,  as  a 
protection  against  wild  aninialsj  the  whole  was  en- 


8  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

closed  by  a  fence  of  cedar  posts,  placed  side  b^ 
side,  and  ten  feet  liigh.  Beyond  the  stockade  lay 
the  primeval  forest,  stretching  for  miles  and  miles, 
a  dismal  wilderness,  from  which  strange,  unearthly 
sounds  seemed  to  issue,  and  it  is  no  wonder  that 
Lydia  Goffe  and  her  companion  believed  it  to  be 
the  haunt  of  evil  spirits. 

At  the  hour  when  our  story  opens,  the  tempest 
had  come  to  an  end.  and  in  the  west  a  strip  of  blue 
sky,  Avhich  was  growing  every  moment  larger  and 
larger,  showed  that  the  weather  would  be  clear  and 
bitterly  cold.  The  sun  was  not  far  from  the  liorizon, 
and  Lydia,  seated  by  one  of  the  windows,  was 
watching  a  flock  of  snow-l)irds  hopping  about  out- 
side, picking  up  a  handful  of  crumbs  slie  had 
thrown  them.  Presently  a  gust  of  wind  struck  the 
house,  making  it  tremble  so,  that  she  half  believed 
it  was  going  to  rise  and  blow  away. 

But  the  old  logs  remained  firm  in  their  places. 
Not  so  the  little  birds,  liowever,  who  unable  to  re- 
sist the  might  of  the  blast,  were  sent  whirling  off, 
dear  knows  where. 

"  Poor  things  !"  she  said,  "  how  different  is  their 
lot  from  that  of  the  robins  and  sparrows  which 
visit  us  in  spring.  They  now  are  singing  merrily 
in  some  warm  nook  at  the  South.  But  'tis  the  will 
of  Providence.     All  cannot  be  happy  alike." 

Lydia  was  entering  her  twentieth  year.   Tall  and 


CHARTER  OAK.  9 

gracefully  formed,  slie  was  at  the  same  time  blest 
with  perfect  health,  and  her  slia2>e  bordering  on 
embonpoint,  was  rather  that  of  a  Hebe  than  of  a 
Sylph.  She  wore  a  homespun  gown  of  a  snuif 
color,  whiv^.li  fell  low  enough  partly  to  conceal, 
\et  not  entirely,  a  neat  ankle,  and  foot  wrapped  in 
moccasin.  Her  n')se  was  of  the  Grecian  type,  her 
forehead  low,  au  1  she  had  a  chin  marked  with  a 
deep  dimple ;  while  her  hazel  eyes  possessed  a 
strange  witchery  that  irresistibly  drew  you  towards 
her.  Lydia's  whjle  expression  was  that  of  a  joyful 
being,  one  who  preferred  to  look  on  the  bright  side 
of  things,  but  who  at  the  same  time  might  love  the 
turmoil  of  the  world  and  whose  soul  was  full  of 
ambition.  The  few  freckles  which  marked  her 
face,  did  not  detract  from  her  beauty,  they  were 
rather  beauty  spots  Avhich  served  to  set  off  the 
exquisite  Avhiteness  of  her  skin,  v/hile  over  her 
shoulders  fell  a  profusion  of  auburn  curls  reach- 
ing to  her  waist.  The  cabin  where  her  home  had 
been  since  childhood,  (save  a  few  months  in  th;: 
year  1B80),  was  situated  about  thirty  miles  north 
of  Hartford,  in  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  from 
which  place  it  was  separated  by  an  unbroken  wil- 
derness, with  the  exception  of  a  dozen  houses  form- 
ing the  village  of  Windsor,  some  twenty  miles  be- 
low them.  It  ;vas  a  small,  yet  comfortable  abode. 
Tn  no  part  of  the  walls  was  a  cranny  to  be  found, 


10  llOMANCK   OF  THE 

and  the  roof  tliatclied  with  the  tongh  native  grass, 
kept  out  eveiy  drop  of  rain.  Communicating  with 
the  sonth  end  was  a  shed  full  of  dry  oak  and 
hickory,  split  and  ready  for  the  fireplace,  also  a 
wooden  mortar  used  for  pounding  corn,  a  couple  of 
axes,  a  churn,  and  one  or  two  other  articles  of 
household  use.  From  this  shed,  you  jDassfd  by 
another  door  into  a  barn,  filled  with  straw  and  corn 
stalks,  barely  sufiicient  to  last  the  half  dozen  sheep, 
and  the  horse  and  cow,  through  the  winter.  The  life 
which  Lydia  led,  was  a  very  monotonous  one,  and 
although  during  childhood  she  had  been  contented 
enough,  now  that  she  was  grown  up  her  thoughts 
would  often  stray  beyond  the  forest,  which  on  every 
side  bounded  her  vision,  and  it  required  all  her 
natural  cheerfulness,  and  no  small  degree  of  filial 
love,  to  bear  her  exile  from  the  world,  as  patiently 
as  she  did. 

Perhaps  nothing  contributed  more  to  her  happi- 
ness than  being  constantly  emplo3'ed.  Every  hout 
of  the  da}^,  she  was  looking  for  something  to  keep 
her  busy.  She  could  bake  corn  bread  even  better 
than  goodwife  Garlic,  and  she  could  churn  and 
jspin.  Indeed,  nearly  every  thing  she  wore  was  of 
her  own  making.  Moreover,  she  was  a  fair  scholar, 
at  least  for  those  days,  wheii  books  were  not  so 
easil}-  obtained  as  now. 

On  the  shelf,  standing  between  the  chimney  and 


CHARTER   OAK.  11 

the  window,  was  a  well-fingered  Bible,  with  many 
a  dog  leaf  in  it,  while  lying  open  on  her  lap  was  a 
copy  of  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress.  This  work 
had  only  lately  appeared,  yet  she  had  already  read 
it  twice.  But  Lydia  w^as  far  from  being  alone  in  her 
iJmiration  of  it.  Throughout  New  England  it 
was  highly  prized,  and  soon  came  to  be  next  in 
circulation  to  tlie  Holy  Scripture.  The  only  per- 
son, she  and  Goody  Garlic  had,  to  cultivate  the 
clearing  and  assist  them  in  taking  care  of  the  stock 
and  poultry,  was  an  Indian  hid,  belonging  to  the 
once  powerful,  but  now  vanquished  and  scattered 
trilje  of  Pequots. 

They  had  named  him  Christian,  and  a  very  good 
fellow  he  proved  himself.  Occasionally  he  might 
steal  off  to  shoot  a  deer  or  spear  a  salmon,  but  on 
the  whole  they  found  him  industrious  and  the  good- 
wife  declared,  he  w^as  as  honest  and  truth-telling, 
as  many  she  had  known  who  did  nothing  but  fast 
and  exhort. 

They  had  no  neighbors,  and  their  only  visitor 
was  a  man  called  Simon  Adams,  a  short,  thick 
set  individual,  with  beard  covering  nearly  his  whole 
face,  and  whom  before  long  we  shall  introduce  to 
the  reader.  In  the  settlements  he  was  known  as 
Mad  Adams.  Of  a  roving  disposition,  he  used  to 
travel  from  place  to  place,  earning  a  livelihood  in 
all  sorts  of  ways,  noAV  chopping  wood,  now  hunt- 


12  KOMANCE    OF   THE 

iijg  wolves  to  obtain  the  twenty  shillings  reward 
offered  for  their  ears.  On  his  right  cheek  was  an 
ugly  scar — the  mark  of  an  arrow  wound  received 
during  the  war  with  King  Philip,  in  which  struggle 
he  had  fought  bravely,  and  he  was  one  of  the 
few  survivors  of  the  massacre  at  Bloody  Brook. 
Lvdia  and  he  were  great  friends,  he  never  came  to 
the  cabin  without  bringing  her  a  present  of  some 
kind,  and  it  was  at  his  last  visit  he  had  given  her  the 
Pilgrim's  Progress.  From  him  she  obtained  news 
of  what  was  going  on  in  the  settlements,  and  as  he 
was  fond  of  talking,  she  had  learnt  more  than  she 
might  from  ten  other  people.  They  perfectl;} 
agreed  in  their  dislike  of  monarchical  government , 
and  he  never  looked  so  pleased  as  when  he  heard 
her  expressing  republican  ideas.  But  Lydia's 
political  o})inions  need  not  surprise  us,  whrn  we 
learn  that  her  father  was  one  of  those  v/ho  had 
signed  the  death  warrant  of  Charles  J.  William 
Goffe  was  a  son  of  the  reverend  Stephen  Goffe, 
rector  of  Stanmar,  Sussex.  He  had  married  the 
daughter  of  Edward  Whaley,  whose  wife  was  a 
sister  of  Sir  George  Middleton,  and  who  belonged 
to  a  family  of  great  antiquity.  Like  his  father-in- 
law,  Goffe  had  early  distinguished  himself  in  the 
civil  war,  had  become  a  Colonel  of  Foot  and  com- 
manded   Cromwell's    regiment,    at   tlie   battle    of 


CHAllTEn   OAK.  13 

Dunbcir.  [lo  aftorwanls  rose  to  the  rank  of  Gen- 
eral, and  was  created  a  member  of  Cromwell's 
House  of  Lords.  At  Oliver's  death  he  remained 
faithful  to  the  interests  of  the  Protectorate  and 
signed  the  order  proclaiming  Eichard  as  his  suc- 
cessor. Possessed  of  great  disinterestedness  and 
courage,  and  gifted  with  a  comprehensive  intellect, 
he  was  a  man  whom  England  could  ill  afford  to 
lose.  But  the  active  part  he  had  taken  in  the  re- 
bellion was  an  unpardonable  offence,  and  when 
Charles  II.  mounted  the  throne  it  was  necessary 
for  him  and  Wh^iley  to  flee  to  xVmerica,  w^here  they 
arrived  in  July,  1660.  The  people  of  Boston, 
headed  by  old  Governor  Endicott,  accorded  them  a 
hearty  welcome,  and  during  the  first  few  months 
which  they  spent  in  that  City  they  made  no  attempt 
at  concealment,  but  walked  freely  about  the  streets 
where  even  the  children  knew  them,  and  would 
say  to  one  another  as  they  passed  : 

"There,  look,  those  are  two  of  Cromwell's  men." 
Lydia's  parent  became  especially  liked  on  ac- 
count of  his  religious  turn  of  mind.  He  never  ab- 
sented himself  from  meeting  on  the  Sabbath,  and 
edified  every  body  by  his  prayers  and  exhortations. 
But  at  length  intelligence  arrived  from  England 
which  caused  him  and  Colonel  Wlialey  to  believe 
khey  were  not  safe  remaining  where  tliey  were. 
The  Act  of  Indemnity  liad   not  iiK-h.xled  themj 


14  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

and  some  persons,  among  whom  were  several  lead- 
ing men  of  the  city,  began  to  question  whether  the 
magistrates  were  not  bound  to  have  them  arrested. 
In  order,  therefore,  to  insure  their  own  safety,  as 
w  ell  as  not  to  bring  trouble  upon  those  who  had 
shown  them  so  much  kindness,  the  regicides,  on 
the  26th  of  February,  1661,  departed  for  New  Ha- 
ven, which  they  reached  after  a  fortnight's  great 
suffering,  for  the  w^eather  ^vas  very  severe.  In  New 
[laven  they  were  welcomed  by  the  Eeverend  Mr. 
Davenport  and  the  citizens,  who  believed  they  had 
performed  a  righteous  act  in  passing  sentence  of 
deatli  on  King  Charles.  But  word  of  a  proclama- 
tion for  their  arrest  soon  arrived,  and  then  many 
worth}'  people  grew  timorous.  In  order,  therefore, 
to  free  the  Townsfolk  from  cause  of  anxiety,  they 
fled  a  second  time.  But  where  they  went  to  re- 
mained for  years  a  mystery.  Thomas  Kelloiul  and 
Thomas  Kirk,  zealous  young  royalists,  were  commis- 
sioned to  scour  the  country  in  search  of  them.  They 
offered  rewards,  hired  Indians  to  assist  in  the  pur- 
suit, but  no  trace  could  be  obtained  of  the  fugitives. 
As  we  are  only  interested  in  Lydia's  parent,  let  us 
^ay,  that  after  several  hairbreadth  escapes  (having 
at  one  time  been  hidden  under  a  bridge  when  his 
pursuers  spurred  over  it),  he  came  back  in  1666  to 
the  Reverend  Mr.  Davenport's  abode,  where,  for 
ten    months   he   remained    safely   concoaled,^   and 


CHAJtTER   OAK.  15 

wlienc(^  lie  kept  up  a  correspoudeiice  with  liis  wife  in 
England.  This  estimable  woman  wrote  to  him 
under  an  assumed  name,  and  he  used  to  address 
her  as  Mother  Goldsmith.  Some  of  Mrs.  Goffe's 
letters  are  exceedingly  beautiful.  In  one  of  them 
she  says :  "  Let  us  console  ourselves  with  this, 
though  we  may  never  meet  in  this  world  again,  yet 
I  hope,  through  Grace,  we  shall  meet  in  Heaven." 
She  did,  however,  enjoy  the  happiness  of  seeing 
him  once  more,  for  she  came  to  America  in  the 
autumn  of  1667,  and  passed  a  twelvemonth  with 
him,  under  the  good  minister's  roof.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  she  died  giving  birth  to  a  daughter,  who 
was  named  Lydia.  Soon  after  this  bereavement, 
Goffe  was  again  obliged  to  flee ;  his  host's  zeal  in 
behalf  of  the  Commonwealth  having  excited  the 
suspicions  of  those  wdio  were  friendly  to  King 
James,  and  it  having  become  whispered  about 
that  the  dwelling  might  be  searched.  A  year 
after  this  a  man  arrived  one  night  at  Mr.  Daven- 
port's, bringing  tidings  of  the  fugitive,  and  saying  it 
w^as  the  wash  of  Colonel  Goffe  that  his  child  should 
be  brought  to  him.  The  messenger  was  Simon 
Adams.  Accordingly,  at  day  break  the  next  morn- 
ing little  Lydia,  half  smothered  in  blankets,  and  in 
the  arms  of  Prudence  Garlic,  a  faithful  domestic  in 
the  clergyman's  family,  set  out  for  the  wilderness. 
The  nurse  was  mounted  on  a  pillion,  behind  Adams. 


ir>  I^OMANCl':   OF   THE 

and,  althongli  tlie  joui'iiej  was  tiresome,  the  weather 
proved  fine,  and  thej  reached  their  destination  at 
the  end  of  the  third  day  after  leaving  New  Haven. 
How  Adams  had  fallen  in  with  the  regicide  we  will 
now  briefly  narrate. 

It  happened  one  day  when  he- was  out  hunting 
wolves  that  he  came  to  a  rock,  close  by  the  bank 
of  the  Connecticut  river,  in  which  there  was  a  cave. 
The  mouth  was  partly  concealed  by  laurel  bushes 
and  ivy,  but  his  practised  eye  told  him  that  these 
were  often  brushed  aside,  perha]3S  by  Indians,  or 
.some  wild  animal  whose  den  it  was.  While  he 
was  cautiously  examining  the  entrance,  he  was 
startled  by  the  sound  of  a  human  voice,  and  in 
another  moment  an  emaciated  being  emerged  from 
the  dark  recess.  In  his  distress.  Colonel  Goffe  re- 
vealed to  him  wlio  he  was,  and  when  Simon  had 
heard  his  story  through,  he  vowed  that  he  would 
neither  be'tray  him  nor  let  him  remain  longer  in 
such  a  wretched  spot,  wdth  nothing  to  eat  but  roots 
and  berries.  "  'Tis  a  special  Providence,"  said 
ho,  "  whicli  has  brought  me  here.  One  who  has 
served  so  well  the  cause  of  liberty  was  not  to  be 
left  for  bears  and  wolves  to  devour."  Then,  after 
giving  the  regicide  the  small  supply  of  bread  and 
bacon  he  had  provided  himself  with  for  his  hunting 
tour,  he  hastened  to  Hartford,  and  soon  returned 
with   a  cou[)h^.  of  axes  and  a  liorse  laden  with  pro- 


ciiAiri^Eii  OAK.  17 

visions.  Not  many  weeks  elapsed  before  a  log 
cabin  was  erected  about  half  a  mile  liiglier  up  the 
river  than  where  the  cave- was,  and,  after  the  hard- 
ships he  had  undergone,  its  mud  plastered  walls 
and  thatched  roof  seemed  like  a  Palace  to  Colonel 
Goife  ;  and  it  is  by  one  of  its  windows  that  his 
daughter  is  seated,  this  January  evening,  twenty 
years  afterwards,  gazing  out  upon  the  bleak  land- 
scape and  wondering  how  long  before  Adams 
would  come  to  see  them  again.  The  regicide  is 
now  advanced  in  years,  and  a  great  sufferer  from 
rheumatism,  so  that,  of  late,  he  has  been  of  no 
assistance  in  taking  care  of  the  homestead.  But 
the  young  Pequot,  whom  Adams  had  induced 
to  enter  their  service,  was,  as  we  have  already 
said,  tolerably  industrious,  and  under  his  man- 
agement the  few  acres  which  had  been  cleared 
yielded  enough  to  supply  their  wants,  and,  all 
things  considered,  the  old  soldier  had  little  to 
complain  of.  He  had  never  been  disturbed  in 
his  retreat.  Indeed,  so  confident  had  he  at  one 
time  become  that  the  search  for  him  was  aban- 
doned, that  he  ventured  to  show  himself  in  Hart- 
ford. This  was  in  the  spring  of  1680,  seven  years 
before  our  story  opens.  Adams  had  secured 
fi  home  for  him  there  in  the  family  of  a  Sea 
Captain  named  Bull,  whose  wife  received  little 
Lydia,  then  thirteen  years  of  age,  with  a  kindness 


8  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

which  few  accord  to  those;  not  of  their  own  flesh 
and  blood.  But  iu  spite  of  the  precaution  taien, 
the  presence  of  the  regicide,  (who  had  assumed 
the  name  of  Cooke),  became  whispered  about,  and 
news  of  it  soon  reached  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  then 
Governor  of  New  York.  In  less  than  a  month  the 
latter  wrote  as  follows  to  the  Governor  of  Connec- 
ticut. 

"To  Governor  Leete  and  the  Assistants  : 

Honorable  Sirs  : — Bsiug  mformecl  hj  depositions  here  taken 
upon  oath  that  Colonel  Gofle  huth  been,  and  is  still,  kept  and 
concealed  by  Captain  Joseph  Bull  in  the  Town  of  Hartford, 
under  the  name  of  Mr.  Cooke,  the  said  Goffe  and  Colonel 
Whaley,  (who  is  since  dead  in  your  parts),  having  been  pursued 
as  ti-aitors — that  I  may  not  be  wanting  in  my  dutj^  do  hereby 
give  you  the  above  information,  no  waj^s  doubting  of  your  loyalty 
in  every  respect, 

I  remain,  Honorable  sirs, 

Your  affectionate  neighbor,  and  humble  servant, 

"New  York,  May  18,  1680.  E.  ANimos. 

To  tliis  communication  Governor  Leete  rtplied 
as  follows : 

Hartford,  June  11,  1680. 
Honorable  Sir  —Although  we  must  acknov.ledge  our  engage- 
ment unto  your  honor  for  giving  us  infonnation  of  what  had  been 
offered  to  yourself  respecting  His  Majesty's  service,  we  should 
have  taken  it  well  had  your  honor  been  pleased  to  have  given  u:; 
an  account  of  the  names  of  the  informers,  (which  yet  we  desire 
you  would  be  pleased  to  do  speedily),  and  we  doubt  not  but  to 
give  you  sufficient  satisfaction  to  clear  it  up,  that  we  are  much 
abused  by  these  false  reports  concerning  the  good  people  of  this 
place  For  the  present,  we  know  not  how  to  acknowledge  any 
(hanks  to  the  informers,  who  (by  the  effect)  seem  to  have 
icted  under  gross  mistakes,  (possibly)  to  delude  j-our  honor,  and 
cast  reproach  upon  ourselves  of  this  place  ;  for  that  we  being 
upon  a solcuiu  occasion  log^■tlicr  when  Vve  received  your  letter,  and 


CHARTER   OAK.  19 

iiifonnation  therein,  we  forthwith  dispatched  a  special  warrant 
to  our  Constable  and  Marshal  to  make  a  diligent  search  after  the 
person  mentioned,  who,  being  upon  oath,  returned  they  had 
with  all  care  and  diHgence  made  the  said  search,  but  could  find 
no  such  person  as  was  mentioned,  nor  any  stranger  that  in  the 
least  could  be  suspected  to  be  any  such  person.  After  the 
search,  our  people  were  amazed  that  any  such  thing  could  be 
suspected  at  Hartford,  But  the  Father  of  Lies  is  our  enemy,  and 
doth  instigate  his  instruments  to  malign  this  poor  colony;  but  we 
■ 'oi^e  the  Father  of  Lights  will  vindicate  us  in  His  due  time  ;  and 
we  pray  your  honor's  neighborly  charity  in  the  mean  space,  with 
due  witness  bearing  against  all  that  endeavor  to  abuse  with  false 
news  and  stories  ;  as  is  done  by  ourselves  in  such  cases.  Other- 
wise enough  of  such  matter  had  not  been  wanting  against  neigh- 
bors to  raise  bad  blood,  by  ill  persons,  bet^vixt  such  as  desire  to 
maintain  good  correspondence  with  our  professed  friends,  that 
are  nearly  situated  to  us  in  this  wilderness.  We  have  nought  to 
add  but  our  respects  to  your  honor  and  that  we  are, 

Honorable  sir,  your  affectionate  friends  and  humble  servants. 
The  Governor  and  Assistants  present. 
Per  their  order  signed, 

John  Allyn,  Secretary.  . 
These  for  the  Honorable  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  Knight  and  Gov- 
ernor of  His  Royal  Highness'  Territories  in  America,  etc.  * 

Here  the  matter  miglit  have  ended,  and  Colonel 
Goffe  have  dwelt  peacefully  in  his  new  home,  had 
not  the  watchful  Simon  Adams  discovered  a  plot  to 
carry  him  off  and  deliver  him  into  the  hands  of 
Andros.  To  avert  such  a  fate,  the  regicide  once 
more  fled  into  the  wildernes?5,  accompanied  by  his 
daughter  who  had  refused  to  remain  in  Hartford 
without  him,  and  by  the  ever  faithful  Prudence  Gar- 
lic. Since  their  return  to  the  log  house.  Colonel  Goffe 

*  For  above  see  Colonial  Becords  of  Connecticut,  by  J.  Ham- 
mond Trumbull. 


20  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

had  devoted  a  great  deal  of  his  time  to  L3Tlia'8 
el  ligation,  storing  lier  mind  with  a  knowledge  of 
history,  especially  that  of  England.  But  it  sur- 
prised him  to  see  the  little  interest  she  took  in  the 
affairs  of  the  old  w^orld,  where  his  own  hopes  and 
affections  centered,  and  she  had  more  than  once 
declared  that  it  was  here  in  America  the  Common- 
wealth would  live  again.  The  state  of  the  country 
at  this  period  ( 1686-87  \  was  w^ell  calculated  to 
excite  interest.  James  ■  II.  had  not  long  since 
mounted  the  throne,  and  the  people  of  New  England 
Avere  very  depressed.  Only  a  few  ignoble  spirits, 
wei'e  rejoicing  at  "what  they  conceived  to  be  a 
favorable  opportunity  for  promoting  their  own 
schemes.  Conspicuous  among  these  were  Joseph 
Dudle}'  and  Edward  Randolph.  The  former  was 
the  son  of  Thomas  Dndley,  who  had  been  Governor 
of  Massachusetts  in  1631,  and  had  proved  himself 
an  honest,  high-minded  man.  Unfortunately,  he 
died  wdien  Joseph  was  but  five  years  of  age,  and 
too  soon,  therefore,  to  exert  any  influence  over  him 
In  the  spring  of  the  year  preceding  the  one  when 
our  tale  commences,  a  frigate  had  arrived  in 
Bost  ^n  harbor,  bearing  Edward  Eau'lolph,  whom 
the  king  had  entrusted  with  commissions  f(n*  func- 
tionaries of  a  new  government  over  New  England. 
It  was  to  consist  of  a  president,  deputy  president, 
and  sixteen   counsellors.      Dudley  had  been  ap- 


CPAETEK   OAK.  21 

poiiitod  the  president.  Two  diiys  afterwards  llan- 
(lolpli  liad  written  to  the  Governor  and  magistrates 
of  Connecticut,  informing  them  that  lie  iiehl  a  writ 
of  quo-Avarranto  against  the  coh)ny.  "  His  Ma- 
jest^',"  he  wrote,  "  intends  to  bring  all  New  England 
under  one  government,  and  nothing  is  now  remain- 
ing on  your  part  but  to  think  of  an  humble  sub- 
mission and  a  dutiful  resignatit^n  of  your  charter, 
which,  if  you  are  so  hardy  as  to  offer  to  defend 
at  hiw,  whilst  jou  are  contending  for  a  shadow,  you 
will,  in  tli^  fi^st  place,  lose  all  that  part  of  your 
Colony  from  'ihe  Connecticut  to  New  York,  and 
have  it  a^.^-'.-xed  to  that  £2fovernment,  a  thine:  vou 
are  ceicii,inly  infoi  med  of  already ;  and  nothing 
will  prevent,  but  your  obviating  so  general  a 
calamity  to  all  New  England  by  an  humble  sub- 
mission. Sirs,  bless  not  3'ourselves  with  vain  expec- 
tations of  advantage  and  spinning  out  of  time  by 
my  delay.  I  Avill  engage,  though  the  weather  be 
warm,  the  writ  will  keep  sound  and  as  good  as 
when  first  landed." 

This  letter  had  beea  shortly  followed  by  another^ 
and  a  confidential  one,  from  President  Dudley  to 
the  Governor,  urging  Connecticut  to  seek  a  union 
with  Massachusetts  rather  than  with  New  York. 
But  to  this,  Connecticut  had  paid  no  heed,  pre- 
ferring to  remain  independent.  Shice  then  Ran- 
dolph, who  was  by  nature  a  tale-bearer,  had  written 


22  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

to  England  that  Dudley  was  becoming  partial  to 
the  Puritans,  and  that  only  himself  and  one  other 
member  of  the  new  government  belonged  to  the 
{•Established  Church. 

Such  being  the  state,  of  affairs  when  Lydia  had 
'.ist  heard  from  the  settlements,  we  may  easily  un- 
derstand her  anxiety  to  get  further  news,  and  how 
she  longed  for  Adams  to  arrive.  After  the  gust  of 
wind  had  blown  the  flock  of  snow  birds  away,  she 
turned  her  eyes  in  the  direction  of  the  forest,  which, 
even  at  noontime,  presented  in  the  winter  season  a 
dark,  forbidding  aspect ;  but  it  appeared  doubly  so, 
now  that  the  sun  was  down  and  night  approaching. 
While  she  was  thus  gazing  towards  the  west,  she 
suddenly  heard  a  voice  calling  out  for  a  spade. 

"  That  sounds  like  Adams,"  she  exclaimed,  jump- 
ing up. 

"  Yes,"  said  Mother  Garlic,  wiping  her  hands  on 
her  apron ;  "  he's  not  been  here  in  a  good  while ; 
it  must  be  he.*' 

In  another  moment  the  goodwife  had  opened  the 
door.  But  lo !  she  could  see  nothing  except  the 
high  bank  of  snow,  which  rose  before  her  like  a 
marble  wall.  As  she  was  staring  at  it,  wondering 
what  to  do,  she  heard  a  strange,  puffing  sound,  and 
presently  there  appeared  through  the  drift  a  pair 
of  bands,  tlieu  two  arms,  and  in  another  moment 


CHARTER   OAK.  2ii 

iidams,  looking  as  if  he  were  Santa  Clans  himself, 
stood  before  her. 

"  If  ever  I  was  glad  to  get  here,"  he  exclaimed, 
gasping  and  stamping  his  feet,  "  'tis  this  evening. 
Why,  the  snow  has  been  above  my  knees  the  whole 
way  from  Hartford.  But  the  worst  drift  of  all  is 
right  in  front  of  your  door.  Where's  Christian  ? 
why  isn't  he  at  work  clearing  it  away  and  making 
a  path,  where  Miss  Lydia  might  walk  up  and  down 
and  take  some  exercise  ?  Tut !  this  fashion  of  get- 
ting to  barns  bj  passing  through  sheds  won't  do. 
Itll  take  all  the  color  out  of  our  young  folks'  cheekp 
afore  another  generation.     Christian,  Christian !" 

But  the  Pequot  had  little  relish  for  such  kind  of 
labor,  and  during  the  past  two  hours,  that  is,  since 
the  storm  had  ceased  and  the  blue  sky  told  him 
the  morrow  would  be  fine,  he  had  been  perched 
upon  a  heap  of  corn  stalks  fastening  on  a  new  set 
of  arrow-heads,  for  he  was  determined  to  enjoy  a 
day's  Moose  hunting.  He  heard  Simon  calling,  how- 
ever, and  presently  his  broad  face  appeared  all  in 
a  grin.  But  whether  it  was  pleasure  at  seeing  his 
old  friend  or  the  ludicrous  aspect  the  latter  present- 
ed, which  caused  his  mirth,  we  cannot  tell.  Certain 
it  is,  however,  that  Adams  was  the  only  person  ever 
could  make  him  laugh,  and  at  this  moment  the  new 
comer  presented,  indeed,  a  comic  appearance  —  his 
shaggy  beard  covered  with  icicles,  and  his  pulpy 


24  HoM..IsO£   OF  THE 

iiosc,  usu-iUy  red  as  a  beet,  now  vvliite  as  wax,  for 
il  was  frostbitten. 

"  You  out  of  breath,"  exclaimed  the  lad.  "  Ha  ! 
no  wise,  me  glide  on  top  snow,  jou,  like  deer,  push 
straight  through." 

For  an  instant  Simon  frowned,  but  the  truth  of 
the  Indian's  words  made  him  only  angry  with  him- 
self for  not  having  made  use  of  snow  shoes.  He 
was  on  the  point  of  answering  when  Lydia  seized 
his  arm  and  pulled  him  towards  the  fire. 

"  Now  dry  yourself,"  she  said,  "  and  give  me  the 
news." 

"  Humph  !  I've  enough  to  tell,  Miss,"  replied  the 
honest  fellow,  rubbing  his  px'oboscis  with  a  handful 
of  snow ;  ''  but  I  must  get  supper  first.  O,  dear, 
how  my  nose  begins  to  prick." 

"  Well,  is  it  good  news  or  bad  ?"  not  thinking, 
in  her  impatience,  aught  about  his  suffering. 

"Bad,  and  I'm  glad!" 

Here  she  let  go  his  arm  and  gazed  at  him  in  won- 
der. She  knew  him  too  well,  however,  to  believe  he 
wished  the  colonies  ill ;  wiiat  then  could  he  mean  ? 

"How's  the  colonel?"  he  asked,  after  o^iving  a 
groan  and  shutting,  for  a  moment,  his  twinkling 
eyes. 

"  Father's  rheumatism  is  about  the  same ;  he'll 
be  delighted  to  see  you ;  and  since  you  won't  tell 


CHALTFJ5    OAK.  25 

me  whiit  has  taken  place  ir  the  settlements,  go  u[) 
stands  and  tell  him." 

But  instead  of  pulling  off  his  deer  skin  coat  and 
doing  as  she  suggested,  he  began  to  stare  at  her. 

"  You're  just  a  mite  paler,"  he  said,  presently, 
"  than  when  I  was  here  last.  The  long  winter  has 
kept  YOU  too  much  in-doors.  To-morrow  I'll  clear 
a  good  piece  of  snow  away  and  then  you  can  take 
your  regular  walk.  I  have  great  plans  laid  uui. 
Miss  Lydia,  and  I  don't  want  you  to  fall  sick  and 
die.     You  must  live,  and  a  long  time  too." 

While  he  was  speaking,  his  fingers  kept  tearing 
the  icicles  out  of  his  beard,  Christian  continued  to 
grin,  and  Mother  Garlic  stamped  her  foot.  The 
dame  felt  vexed  both  at  Adams  and  Lydia.  The 
latter,  in  her  opinion,  cared  a  great  deal  too 
much  about  the  gossip  from  Hai-tford,  and  during 
the  last  five  minutes  had  kept  their  visitor  stand- 
ing on  the  edge  of  the  hearth,  until  now  there  wavS 
a  puddle  of  water  at  his  feet,  instead  of  helping  get 
ready  the  supper. 

"  Come,  child,"  she  exclaimed,  "  have  an  eye  to 
the  corn  cake ;  it'll  be  dark  afore  we  can  cook 
enough  for  him  to  eat.     Come,  to  work." 

"Well,  indeed,  I  have  an  uncommon  appetite, 
and  I'm  glad  you  know  it,"  said  Adams,  turning 
his  eyes  on  the  goodwife ;  at  the  same  time  he  be- 
gan pulling  off  his  coat.     Lydia  helped  him  get  his 


26  UOMAIS (Jl";    OF   THE 

arms  out  of  the  sleeves,  then  hung  it  up  on  a 
peg.  As  she  did  so  she  remarked  that  tlie  pock- 
ets seemed  well  stuffed. 

"  Humj)h  !"  said  Simon,  "  wouldn't  I  be  a  queer 
fellow  not  to  bring  any  thing  with  me  when  I  come? 
I  only  see  you  three  or  four  times  a  jear.  When 
you  were  a  babe  I  brought  you  to  this  spot,  and 
I'm  not  going  to  let  you  groAV  into  a  weed  if  I  can 
help  it.  This  is  a  lonesome  home  for  any  body, 
especially  for  a  lass  such  as  you.  I  only  wish  I 
had  brought  you  more  books." 

"  Do  not  pity  me,  Adams  ;  I  might  go  off  and 
not  be  as  happy  as  I  am  here,  even  if  duty  to  my 
father  did  not  keep  me." 

"  True !"  ejaculated  Mother  Garlic,  who,  while 
she  was  busy  taking  the  cups  and  saucers  out  of 
the  cupboard,  still  had  her  ears  wide  open ;  "  Ah, 
Simon !  I  fear  you're  a  tempter ;  talking  about 
having  great  plans  laid  out !  Child,  beware  of 
what  he  says.  Beyond  these  woods  is  th3  world, 
the  flesh,  and  the  devil." 

"  Indeed  !  ha !  I  guess  you  feel  as  1  do  when  I 

have  eaten  my  fill,  that  nobody  else  can  be  liuiigi}  . 

You  had  your  fun  once  on  a  time,  and  now  you 

want  this  girl  to  stay  here  until  her  pretty  face  '11 

be  all  wrinkled.     Although  Miss  Goffe  is  too  good 

IP 
to  complain,  I  know  she  longs  to  see  what  you  call 

the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil.     A  thousand 


CHARTER   OAK.  27 

pities  she  left  Hartford  to  come  back  to  this  wilder- 
ness seven  years  ago !  Mrs.  Bull  would  have 
taken  as  good  care  of  her  as  if  she  had  been  he/ 
own  child." 

These  words  bronght  a  blush  to  Lydia's  cheek, 
for  he  was  speaking  exactly  the  truth.  Although, 
as  before  remarked,  she  was  of  a  happy  disposition, 
there  were  times  when  she  could  not  help  chaffing 
in  this  cage  of  a  home,  and  her  thoughts  of  late  had 
more  than  once  soared  beyond  the  pines  which  sur- 
rounded the  clearing ;  while  Adam's  visits,  and  his 
accounts  of  what  was  going  on  in  the  Cjlonies  had 
awakned  an  ambition  she  had  not  been  conscious 
of  before.  But  now  let  us  see  what  she  is  pulling 
out  of  the  honest  fellow's  pocket.  First  came  a 
paper  of  tobacco. 

"  Oh  !  won't  father  be  glad  to  <^et  this,"  she  ex- 
claimed, "  and  what  a  nice  pipe  too,  so  different 
from  the  corn-cob  one  he  has  been  using.  Really, 
Adams,  'twas  very  kind  in  you  to  think  of  him." 

He  nodded,  then  turned  and-  gave  Prudence  a 
triumphant  look.  "  And  what  is  this  ?"  thrusting 
her  hand  in  again  and  producing  a  pack  of  cards. 
She  stared  at  them  a  moment,  for  they  were  the 
first  she  had  ever  seen ;  then  looked  inquiringly 
at  the  goodwife. 

"  Beware,  beware  child !"  cried  the  latter,  with  a 
slight  shriek,  "  touch  not  what  the  church  forbids 


28  KOM    NCE   OF   THE 

Drop  those  poisonous  tilings  as  jou  value  jour 
soul's  salvation." 

"  Then  they're  not  the  first  you've  seen  !"  growle.l 
Adams.  "  If  these  pieces  of  pasteboard  with  strang  ^ 
devices  are  meant  for  any  unholy  amusement,  1 
cannot  accept  the  in,"  said  Lydia,  re-toring  them 
to  the  pocket ;  "the  church  knows  what  is  best." 

"  Well,  do  as  you  like,"  said  Adams  ;  "  they'll  be 
a  gift  for  the  Colonel.  He's  as  good  a  christian  as 
Increase  Mather,  yet  I'm  sure  he  won't  scream  and 
make  a  fuss  when  he  sees  tlitmi."  But  his  irown 
quickly  disappeared,  as  Lydia  produced  gift  num- 
ber three,  which  seemed  to  puzzle  her  full  as  much 
as  the  cards  ;  this  was  a  jew's-harp. 

"  Well,  that  you  won't  refuse,  nor  Goody  Garlic 
either,"  he  exclaimed ;  "  'twill  mellow  her  crabbed 
spirit  and  make  the  praj-ers  flow  from  her  mouth, 
like  sap  out  of  a  young  maple  when  it's  first  tapped." 

"  Oh,  how  you  talk,"  said  the  girl,  looking  re- 
proachfully at  him. 

"  I  mean,  that  that  'ere  article  is  for  making 
music,  and  music  comes  nearer  to  whnt  I  con- 
ceive heaven's  delights  to  be  than  anything  else 
Wliy,  when  I  used  to  go  to  meeting  (I  say  used  to 
go  for  I  ain't  been  often  of  late)  I  Jiever  felt  a  mite 
of  religion  till  they  had  struck  up  a  psalm.  Now, 
Miss  Goffe,  I  see  you're  laughing;  'taint  right,  I'm 
a  groat  sinner,  I  know,   and   it'll   take  a  deal  of 


(■[iVKJ'Ki;    i»AK.  29 

liiusic  to  carij  me  tlirougli  to  Zion ;  l)ut  don't  hiiigh, 
if  all  were  like  yourself  meeting  houses  wouldn't  be 
m  eded.  But  to  come  back  to  the  subject  of  card 
playing,  I  really  cannot  see  how  it  is  sinful.  Wliy 
ain't  I  as  good  a  judge  about  it  as  Increase  Mather, 
*vho  blows  such  a  loud  horn  !" 

Lydia  did  not  reply,  as  he  seemed  inclined  to  be 
disrespectful  in  speaking  of  the  clergy.  Present- 
ly he  took  the  jew's-harp  from  her  and  began 
playing  upon  it  with  such  skill  that  in  less  than 
a  minute  dame  Garlic's  head,  then  her  whole 
bod}^,  was  swaying  from  side  to  side,  wdiile  one  of 
her  lingers  beat  time  on  the  bottom  of  a  plate. 
Perceiving  the  effect  which  the  melody  produced, 
he  continued  to  play  harder  and  harder,  and  would 
perhaps  have  ke2:>t  on  for  half  an  hour,  had  he  not 
heard  the  Colonel  calling  him.  At  once  he  took 
the  instrument  from  his  lips,  returned  it  to  Lydia, 
then  drawing  fi'om  his  pocket  the  pack  of  cards, 
1- listened  up  the  sfair-eape. 

He  found  the  old  soldier  abed,  and  a  good  deal 
jdtered  since  the  last  time  he  had  seen  him.  His 
face  was  thinner,  while  so  much  hair  had  fallen  out 
that  the  crown  of  his  head  was  quite  bald.  But 
liis  eye  shone  as  bright  and  his  voice  sounded  as 
cheery  as  ever.  After  a  hearty  shake  of  the  hand, 
Adams  drew  up  a  bench  and  sat  down  close  by  th« 
bed. 


:)0  ROMANCE    OF   TnE 

"  I  thought  you  might  be  here  soon,"  said  the 
Ccjlouel ;  "but  I  diJn't  expect  you  right  after  such 
a  storm.     Why,  it  snowed  all  to-day  and  all  yester 
day,  and  only  stopped  a  couple  of  hours  ago." 

"  And  cleared  up  awful  cold,"  said  Simon,  feeling 
his  nose,  which  was  regaining  a  little  of  its  natural 
color.  "  Well,  I  had  snug  quarters  in  [lartford  and 
jolly  fun  at  the  Bunch  of  Grapes  tavern,  which  you 
must  know,  sir,  I've  got  a  license  to  keep ,  but  sud- 
denly I  began  thinking  of  you  and  Miss  Lydia  ; 
queer  notions  came  into  my  head.  Wolves  had 
broken  through  the  stockade  and  eaten  you  up  - 
you  were  burnt  out — provisions  had  failed — you 
were  starving.  In  fact  I  grew  so  nervous  that  with- 
out waiting  for  the  y>^eather  to  clear,  I  started  olf 
to  see  how  you  were." 

"It  was  very  kind,  Simon,  very  kind.  But  you've 
got  frost-bitten.  Be  sure  now  and  keep  away  from 
the  fire." 

"Yes,  I  wasn't  aware  of  it  till  I  reached  the 
hoB-se.  Lord  how  it  does  prick  !  It  feels  as  if 
somebody  was  making  a  pincushion  of  my  m^se." 

After  giving  a  groan,  for  the  pain  was  really 
sharp,  he  produced  the  pack  of  cards. 

"  Here,  sir,  is  something  I  brought  your  daughter, 
hoping  to  please,  but  that  crotchetty  nurse  told 
her  not  to  touch  them  as  they'd  poison  her  soul, 
therefore  I  concluded  to   make   "em  a  ])resent  to 


CHAHTKII   OAK.  31 

jou,  wlio  no  doubt  have  overcome  your  ancient 
scruples  and  yet  say  fall  as  many  prayers  as  ever." 

"  Well,  I'm  not  quite  as  particular  about  some 
things  as  I  was  once  upon  a  time  "  — here  tho 
Colonel  smiled  — "  but  let  me  see  what  you  have.' 

Adams  unrolled  the  paper  and  showed  him  its 
contents. 

"  Why,  no,  I  don't  believe  there  is  any  harm  in 
these,"  said  the  Colonel.  "  The  people  of  New 
England  go  too  far  in  their  religious  notions. 
However,  that  is  better  perhaps  than  going  to  the 
other  extreme,  as  I've  known  many  do  in  Europe, 
and  having  no  scrui)les  about  anything," 

He  now  took  the  cards  and  placed  them  for  safe- 
keeping under  his  pillow ;  we  say  for  safe-keeping, 
as  he  knew  the  goodwife  would  not  hesitate  to  de- 
stroy them  if  she  found  them  within  her  reach  when 
she  came  to  sweep  next  morning.  Having  done 
this  he  asked  Simon  to  begin  and  tell  the  news. 
He  felt  especially  anxious  to  hear  what  had  oc- 
curred in  England.  x4.t  once  Adams  commenced, 
and  Colonel  Goffe  listened  with  the  deepest  interest, 

"  I  half  believe,"  he  exclaimed,  when  the  tavern 
keeper  had  finished,  "  that  Lydia  is  right.  The 
King  will  force  the  best  people  in  the  Mother 
Country  to  come  over  here ;  yes,  she  has  often  de- 
clared her  faith  in  the  commonwealth  living  again 
in  America.     Now,  one  of  my  chief  reasons   for 


32  KOMANCE    OF   THE 

^vislling  these  colonies  justly  treated,  is  to  preveni 
tliat  restless  craving  for  independence,  which,  you 
say,  is  begining  to  show  itself.  Let  them  as  far  as 
possible  manage  their  own  affaii^,  yet  never  cut 
adrift  from  England.  But,  Adams,  you  ought  to 
hear  Lydia  talking  on  this  subject.  Oh,  how  en- 
thusiastic she  becomes!" 

"  She  and  I  have  often  spoken  about  it,  sir ;  she 
has  a  broad  mind,  a  great  soul." 

"  Dear  child  !"  pursued  the  Colonel,  "  anywhere 
else  but  in  this  lonely  forest,  she'd  make  a  mark, 
I'm  sure  of  it." 

"  True  as  Gospel !"  muttered  Adams,  folding 
his  arms  and  staring  at  the  floor. 

During  the  next  few  minutes  he  did  not  speak 
another  word,  but  seemed  to  be  meditating  deeply 
on  something.  The  room  was  grov/ing  dark. 
"  God  grant,"  he  exclaimed,  suddenly  looking  up, 
"  that  my  plans  may  succeed  !" 

"  Pray  what  are  they,  Adams  ?" 

"  Never  mind,  sir — by  and  by — here  she  comes." 

Lydia  appeared  just  then  at  the  top  of  the  stair- 
case, carrying  in  one  hand  a  flipding  (a  hollow 
dish  filled  with  hog's  grease,  with  a  twisted  rag 
hi  it,  which  being  lighted,  served  for  a  candle,)  and 
in  the  other  a  tray  with  a  bowl  of  milk  and  some 
slices  of  toast. 

"  Now,   Adams !"  she   exclaimed,   smihng,   "  go 


CHARTER   OAK.  33 

down,  supper  is  ready ;  you  and  nurse  can  talk 
politics  together." 

"  But  ain't  you  coming  too,  Miss  ?" 

"  No,  I'll  remain  with  father." 

"Nay,  child,"  said  the  Colonel,  "place  those 
things  near  me  so  that  I  may  reach  them,  and  go 
have  a  chat  yourself  with  Simon  ;  it's  not  often  you 
have  the  opportunity.     I'll  eat  alone  this  evening." 

Glad  of  the  permission,  she  put  the  tray  on  the 
bench  near  the  bed,  then  withdrew  to  the  lower 
floor,  followed  by  Adams.  No  sooner  did  the  latter 
catch  a  glimpse  of  the  table  than  he  strode  swiftly 
up  to  it,  then  for  at  least  a  minute,  stood  perfectly 
still,  his  face  as  grave  as  a  judge.  lie  was  saying 
grace. 

"  (jrlad  you  ain't  give  up  praying  altogether,"  re- 
marked the  goodwife  when  he  had  finished. 

"  I  never  feel  so  pious  as  just  before  a  hearty 
meal,"  said  A.  lam-;,  taking  his  seat.  "  Grace  is  the 
sinceresi  prayer  I  make.  The  very  smell  of  victuals 
stirs  my  spirit  more  than  a  sermon." 

Certainly  he  could  not  complain  of  the  repast 
'spread  before  him.  It  was  the  best  the  cabin 
could  affonl.  On  a  large  vrooden  platter  were 
slices  of  fried  venison,  then  came  a  dish  of  boiled 
Indian  meal,  a  jug  of  maple  syrup,  a  old  pumpkin 
pie,  corn  cake  and  a  pitcher  of  milk  ;  but  there  was 
neither  tea  nor  coffee — the  former  noi  coming  into 


31  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

use  until  1750,  the  latter  not  before  1770.  The 
plates  were  of  pewter,  and  there  w^as  no  table 
cloth.  Lyclia  immediately  filled  the  bowl  to  the 
brim  with  milk,  then  helped  him  to  the  largest 
slice  of  meat. 

"  Thanks ! "  he  exclaimed,  snatching  up  his 
fork,  "  but  don't  mind  me,  eat  yourself ;  and  make 
haste,  for  when  I  begin  the  news  your  appetite  '11 
vanish." 

"  How  so  ?"  she  inquired,  taking  a  seat  next  to 
hira. 

"  Bad  news  isn't  good  for  it,"  speaking  with 
difficulty,  as  his  mouth  was  already  full.  This  was 
all  he  said  for  ten  minutes  and  until  he  had 
swallowed  his  second  bowl  of  milk  and  devoured 
three-quarters  of  the  pie,  to  the  no  small  grief  of 
Christian,  who  was  very  fond  of  it. 

In  the  meanwhile  Lydia  partook  of  a  little  her- 
self, then  waited  as  patiently  as  she  could  until  he 
was  ready. 

"But  although  the  news  is  bad,"  he  said  at 
length,  drawing  his  sleeve  across  his  mouth  and 
smacking  his  lips,  "  as  I  told  you  at  first,  I'm  not 
sorry.  No  matter  how  overcast  the  sky  may  be, 
there's  always  sunshine  above  the  clouds.  A  tem- 
pest purifies  the  air.  Freedom  springs  from  op- 
pression. We  need  a  despot  here  to  rouse  the 
people  ;  and  when  they  do  rise — then,  by  Jehovah  ! 


CHARTER   OAK.  35 

no  more  Dudleys,   no  more  E-andolphs,  no    more 
Androscs  will  ever  trouble  them  again." 

As  lie  spoke  lie  bronglit  liis  sledge-hammer  fist 
down  upon  the  table  with  a  thumj^  which  made 
every  cnp  and  dish  rattle,  so  that  Mother  Garlic 
and  Lydia  believed  they  were  fallhig  to  pieces.  The 
girl  could  not  but  think  what  a  terrible  fellow  he 
must  be  Avhen  in  a  passion,  and  wondered  if  that 
w^ere  not  the  reason  they  called  him  Mad  Adams ; 
while  the  dame  hastened  to  fill  his  bowl  for  the 
fourth  time  in  hopes  of  calming  him.  But  he 
pushed  it  away,  nearly  overturning  it,  and  Prudence 
then  placed  herself  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
iable,  for  she  was  beginning  to  be  afraid. 

When  his  excitement  had  subsided  a  little,  he 
brought  the  cup  back  again,  then  raising  it  to  his 
lips  took  a  long  draught,  after  which  he  began 
seriously  to  give  the  news. 

"'  We've  lately,"  said  he,  turning  to  Lydia  who 
stood  at  his  elbow,  "had  a  change  of  rulers. 
Dudley  is  no  longer  president."  | 

Here  another  pause  during  which  he  emptied  the 
bowl,  then  went  on :  "  You  must  know.  Miss,  that 
towards  the  end  of  December,  a  frigate  called  the 
Kingfisher  arrived  at  Boston,  bearing  Sir  Edmund 
Andros  who  had  been  sent  to  take  his  place.  Noav, 
thisAndros  is  the  same  who  wa<  Governor  of  Man- 
hadoes  just  after  the  Duke  oi  York  recovered  that 


36  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

Province  from  the  Datcli.  It  was  be  who  wanted 
to  encroach  upon  the  domain  of  Connecticut,  and 
if  it  hadn't  been  for  the  bold  stand  which  Captain 
Bull  and  his  hundred  followers  made  behind  the 
ramparts  of  Saybrook  fort,  he  might  have  succeeded 
in  his  impudent  claim.  And  he  is  the  same,  too, 
who  wrote  to  Governor  Leete  in  1680,  informing 
him  that  your  father  was  concealed  in  Hartford. 
O  how  I  hate  him !  But  now  the  wolf  is  again 
upon  us  ;  we  must  not  fall  asleep.  One  of  liis 
first  acts  has  been  to  create  Dudley  a  Judge  of 
the  Superior  Court,  and  he  has  brought  over  from 
England  a  new  flag,  which  bears  a  red  cross  on  a 
white  ground." 

"  A  cross,  did  jou  say !"  exclaimed  Lydia  and 
Mother  Garlic  simultaneously. 

"Yes,  a  red  cross  on  a  white  ground,  and  in  the 
centre  there  is  a  crown  wrought  in  gold  with  the 
letters  J.  E.  Still  if  that  v/ere  all,  much  as  I  dis- 
hke  anything  which  smacks  of  Popery,  I  would  not 
caU  it  much.  But  he  is  sternly  carrying  out  the 
policy  of  His  Boyal  Master  towards  Massachusetts, 
and  if  that  Plantation  is  humbled,  woe  to  the 
others,  for  she  is  our  guiding-star." 

"  True !"  exclaimed  Lydia,  "  God  bless  Massa- 
chusetts." 

"  Then,  again,  he  intends  to  allow  no  taxes  to  be 
collected  except  by  himself  ;  and  he  also  vows  that 


CHARTER   OAK.  37 

he'll  crusli  out  the  religion  of  the  Pilgrims.  Why, 
on  the  very  day  he  landed  he  began  searching  for 
a  meeting-house  which  might  accommodate  his 
half-popish  followers." 

"  Shocking !  Adams — shocking  !'* 

"  Oh,  Miss,  sinner  though  I  be,  and  although  I 
have  some  peculiar  notions  of  my  own  in  regard  to 
church  matters,  I'll  fight  to  the  death  for  the  faith 
of  my  parents  who  came  over  in  the  May  Flower." 

"  Well,  Simon,  tell  me  how  have  the  people  borne 
All  this?" 

"  They  are  begining  to  show  their  teeth.  In- 
crease Mather,  who  is  no  coward,  told  Sir  Edmund 
to  his  face  that  he  should  not  use  one  of  our  meet- 
ing-houses.'"* 

"  But  suppose  Andros  persists,  what  then  ?" 

"  H  a  !  what  then  !  didn't  I  say,  that  the  news 
made  me  rejoice?  Why,  then,  a  fire  will  be  lit 
which  King  James  will  never  quench.  These 
colonies  will  become  free  and  independent." 

"  Too  good  almost  to  hope  for,  and  yet  I  believe 
it  is  coming." 

As  Lydia  spoke  she  clasped  her  hands. 

"  But  all  isn't  told  yet,"  pursued  Adams,  who 
evidently  took  a  fierce  delight  in  narrating  the 
wrongs  w^hich  were  being  perpetrated.  "  The  new 
Governor  has  forbidden  town  meetings.  But,  worst 
of  all,  or  rather  in  my  view  of  things  best  of  all, 
•Palfrey.  HiHt.  N.  E..  vol.  iii.,  p.  521. 


38  ROMANCE   OP  In. 

he  has  announced  that  owners  of  land  must  applj- 
to  him  to  have  their  titles  confirmed.  This  is  llie 
opening  wedge  whereby  he  intends  to  deprive  many 
of  their  property  in  order  to  give  it  to  his  retainers, 
I  feel  sure,  also,  he'll  not  be  long  in  demanding 
of  Connecticut  to  surrender  her  charter,  just  as 
Eandolph  did." 

"  He'll  never  get  it,"  said  Lydia,  her  eyes  flashing 
and  her  countenance  so  full  of  enthusiasm  that 
Adams  stopped  a  moment  to  admire  her. 

"  But  I  hope  he'll  try," 

"  But  he'll  never  get  it,  Simon." 

"  If  all  were  like  you,  perhaps  not."  Then  drop- 
ping his  voice  too  low  for  her  to  hear :  "  Would," 
he  said,  *'  that  the  Captain  could  lay  eyes  on  her. 
Yes,  I  must  try.  I'll  leave  no  stone  unturned  to 
bring  it  about.  Charity  Crab  tree's  letter  may  help 
me." 

"  But  does  Andros  give  no  reason  for  declaring 
void  all  titles  to  land  ?"  inquired  Lydia  ;  "  is  his 
method  open  robbery,  the  right  of  might?" 

For  a  moment  Adams  rubbed  his  forehead  as  if 
trymg  to  recollect  something.  "  Oh  no,  Miss,  al- 
though his  scheme  is  founded  on  a  wickedness,  it 
.still  has  a  shadow  of  reason."  Here  he  again  rub- 
l)edhis  forehead,  and  stammered:  "You  see,  the 
highest  Tribunal  in  England  having  declared  the 
Charter  of  Masschussetts  void,  then,  according  to 


CHARTER  OAK.  39 

English  law,  every  right  aud  privilege  founded  upon 
fche  Charter,  falls  with  it.  Now  among  those  rights 
was  that  of  conveying  land,  and  that  right  failing, 
the  title  of  the  assigns  fails  also.  Hence  it  follows 
that  every  acre  in  Massachusetts  belongs  at  this 
moment  to  King  James  II.,  by  hereditary  and  offi- 
cial descent  from  Henry  VII.,  the  original  Chris- 
tian owner." 

While  he  was  speaking,  Prudence  had  kept  her 
grey  eyes  fixed  upon  him,  and  when  he  was 
through  she  burst  into  a  laugh.  "  An  ingenious 
explanation,"  she  said ;  "  pray  is  there  not  some- 
body in  the  settlements  whose  words  you  learn  by 
rote  ?  from  the  hurried  way  you  spoke,  you  seemed 
afraid  of  trusting  your  memory." 

Adams  scowled  at  her  a  moment,  then  shrugging 
his  shoulders  went  on  :  "  Now  what  is  done  in  oiio 
Plantation  will  be  done  in  all,  until  our  necks, 
tired  of  bending,  the  day  of  glory  shall  arrive. 
The  hunter  will  abandon  the  deer  track,  the  farmer 
leave  his  plough,  and  there  will  be  such  a  stirring 
of  New  England's  spirit  as  will  make  many  call  it  a 
fire  from  heaven.' 

"  And  so  it  will  be,  Adams.  Is  not  the  hand  of 
Providence  visible  in  our  short  history  ?  The  ocean 
didn't  swaUow  up  the  May  Flower ;  nor  did  the 
cold  winters  and  the  savages  prevent  those  who 
came  here  to  serve  Christ  from  spreading  further 


40  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

and  further  into  the  wilderness.     King  James  oaD 
not  crush  those  whom  the  Almighty  protects." 

•'*  Oh,  Miss  Goffe  !"  exclaimed  Simon,  "  a  thous 
and  pities  there  is  no  meeting-house  close  by  where 
you  might  exhort.    Why,  do  you  know,  you  stir  the 
very  marrow  in  my  bones,  and  draw  the  frost  from 
my  nose  so  that  it  doesn't  prick  any  more." 

"  Hypocrite, !"  muttered  the  goodwife,  "  if  she 
exhorted  an  hour,  she'd  not  pull  them  cards  out  of 
your  pocket." 

He  w^as  meditating  a  reply  to  these  stinging 
words  when  Lydia  heard  her  father  call,  and  off 
she  ran  without  waiting  to  hear  what  he  said. 

"  You  may  abuse  me  as  much  as  you  like,  dame 
Garlic,"  he  exclaimed,  "  but  it  shan't  change  my 
opinion ;  she  is  a  wonderfully  gifted  body,  and  I 
don't  think  it  right  for  her  to  remain  always  in  this 
desolate  spot ;  nor  shall  she  if  lean  prevent  it." 

"  Then  you'd  take  the  child  away  from  her  aged 
parent,  would  you  ?  You  know  Colonel  Goffe  dare 
not  show  himself  in  the  settlements ;  he  tried  it 
some  years  ago  and  had  to  flee." 

"  Well,  in  the  first  place,"  returned  Adams,  "she 
is  not  ji  child,  just  look  at  her  !  Why  I've  been  to 
many  a  husking  party  and  never  yet  seen  a 
maiden  so  lovely.  What  an  armful  she'd  make  !' 
At  tLese  words  Prudence  gave  a  scream,  but  with- 
out minding  her  he  went  on  :  "  It  wouldn't  take  a 


CHARTER   OAK.  41 

week  to  kiss  her  freckles  away — now  don't  fly  at  me 

for   saying  this" the   goodwife   had    suddenly 

placed  her  hand  on  the  broomstick.  "  Then  again," 
he  continued,  "  think  what  service  she  might  do 
the  country ;  why,  a  person  of  her  spirit  would  be 
worth  a  dozen  Train-Bands.  And  if  she  went  to 
the  settlements  mighii't  you  accompany  her,  while 
1.  staid  and  took  care  of  the  Colonel  ?  Where  would 
be  the  danger  with  you  at  her  side?  Now  don't 
look  bewildered.  The  fact  is,  both  you  and  the 
old  gentleman  forget  that  she  is  now  a  woman." 

Here  he  paused,  and  for  the  next  five  minutes 
neither  of  them  opened  their  lips.  IJ  e  had  indeed 
confused  the  dame  by  this  novel  proposition,  and 
at  first  she  hardly  knew  whether  to  scold  or  not. 
Little  by  little,  however,  a  light  seemed  to  dawn 
upon  her  ;  it  was  as  if  she  were  awakening  from  a 
dream. 

"  Yes,"'  thought  Prudence,  "  'tis  a  good  many 
years  since  Lydia's  childhood ;  never  has  she  seen 
any  one  but  myself.  Christian,  her  father  aiil 
Simon,  except  during  her  brief  sojourn  in  Hartford, 
when  she  was  entering  her  teens.  Is  this  just? 
Ought  she,  even  for  the  sake  of  a  parent,to  continue 
hidden  from  the  world  ?" 

While  these  thoughts  occurred  to  her,  Adam^ 
rose,  and  Hghting  his  pipe  stood  with  his  back  to 
the  fire,  apparently  as  deeply  absorbed  as  herself. 


42  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

At  length  Prudence  also  left  her  seat  and  began 
washing  up  the  dishes. 

*'  I  didn't  come  here  to-daj,"  he  resumed,  after 
allowing  her  time  to  think  over  what  he  had  been 
saying,  "  without  bringing  you  a  present  as  well  as 
Miss  Lydia.  And  I  believe  you'll  like  it  better 
than  a  jew's-harp  ;  unless  I  am  much  mistaken  it  is 
a  missive  from  a  long  forgotten  friend — look  !"  here 
he  drew  from  his  j)ocket  a  crumpled  letter,  while 
the  old  maid  without  ceasing  to  wipe  the  plate, 
slyly  turned  her  eyes  towards  him  as  if  she  only 
half  believed  wbat  lie  said.  In  an  instant  her 
heart  was  throbbing  violently' . 

"I  don't  ask  you  to  read  it  aloud,  albeit  my 
curiosity  would  be  much  gratified  if  you  did  ;  here 
—take  it." 

Now  considering  that  the  paper  he  held  towards 
her  was  unsealed  ,his  language  was  not  a  little  pro- 
voking, for  she  knew  he  was  quite  capable  of  hav- 
ing already  pried  into  its  contents.  She  did  not, 
however,  accuse  him  of  this,  but  with  a  trembling 
hand  adjusted  her  specs  — then,  as  she  opened  it, 
Raid  : 

"  Yon  might  have  let  me  have  it  before." 

"  Then  my  '  wittles'  wouldn't  have  tasted  so 
good,"  he  replied,  winking  at  Christian,  who  had 
just   awakened  from  a  doze.     "  Your  whole  mind 


CHAKTEIl   OAK.  43 

would  not  liave  been  given  to  broiling  the  venison 
steaks." 

This  remark  passed  unnoticed,  the  dame  being 
too  intent  on  the  persual  of  the  letter.  As  she 
proceeded  her  countenance  gradually  softened, 
and  by  the  time  she  got  to  the  end,  Lydia,  who  had 
returned  from  her  father's  room,  saw  the  change 
and  declared  her  nurse  had  grown  younger. 

*•  What  is  that !"  exclaimed  the  girl,  placing  the 
tray  on  the  table ;  then  going  up  and  peeping  over 
her  shoulder :  "  Some  riddle  he's  been  giving  you 
to  solve  ?  I  hope  he's  brought  a  good  budget  of 
them." 

"  No,  no,  child,"  replied  the  good  wife,  wiping 
her  eyes  ;  "  'tis  a  letter  from  an  old  friend,  one 
whom  I  used  to  know  in  New  Haven  when  I  was  a 
servant  in  Mr.  Davenport's  family.  She  says  she's 
often  wondered  what  had  become  of  me,  for  you 
must  know,  Lydia,  that  I  slipped  off  in  the  night- 
time with  you  in  my  arms,  without  telling  a  soul 
where  I  was  going;  and  now  it  seems  she's 
heard  I'm  among  the  living  and  wants  me  to  pay 
her  a  visit.  Her  home  at  present  is  in  Hartford. 
Truly  Adams" — here  Prudence  turned  towards  the 
latter  with  an  expression  of  the  deepest  gratitude 
— ''  you  were  a  good  fellow  for  stumbling  on 
Charity  Crab  tree." 


44  KOMANCE   OF   THE 

"How  affectionately  she  writes,  doean't  she?" 
said  the  tavern  keeper  with  a  grin. 

"  Then,-  just  as  I  suspected,  you  did  re^ad  this 
before  giving  it  to  me,"  exclaimed  the  dame,  try- 
ing hard  to  appear  vexed. 

"  I  did  not,  but  your  friend,  with  Avhom  I  am  on 
intimate  terms,  read  it  aloud  before  putting  it  into 
my  hands." 

"  Well,  tell  me  now,"  continued  the  goodwife, 
"  how  came  Charity  to  discover  that  you  knew  me?" 

"  Ah !  how  ?  Well,  I've  told  you  already  that  I 
have  a  pet  scheme  which,  sooner  or  later,  I  hope 
to  carry  out ;  and  one  day  while  I  was  talking  to 
her  about  it,  I  happened  to  mention  your  name. 
O,  you  should  have  seen  her  start !  It  appears 
she  had  long  given  you  up  for  dead,  and  when, 
after  further  conversation,  she  became  convinced 
you  were  the  same  Prudence  Garlic  she  had  known 
once  upon  a  time,  and  when  I  added  that  you  were 
not  more  than  a  day's  journey  from  where  she  was 
sitting,  she  at  once  got  pen  and  ink  and  wrote  you 
that  letter." 

"  But  I  hope  you  didn't  tell  her  any  thing 
about—" 

"  Oh,  of  course  not.  Although  I'm  a  great  talk- 
er, no  words  of  mine  shall  ever  betray  the  Colonel. 
I  did  indeed  mention  Miss  Lydia,  but  I  said  she 
was  your  niece." 


CHARTEK   OAK.  45 

Here  tlie  goodwife  clasped  her  hands,  and  cried 
out,  "  Oh,  1/vhat  a  fib  to  tell !"  then  asked  how  long 
since  the  letter  had  been  written,  for  there  was  no 
date  to  it. 

"  No  longer  ago  than  yesterday.  It's  doubtful, 
however,  if  I'd  have  brought  it  so  soon  on  account 
of  the  storm,  if  I  hadn't  got  uneasy  about  you  all. 
Queer  notions  came  into  my  head,  and  so  I  started 
off  at  once.  Of  course  you  mean  to  go  ?  and  you'll 
take  Miss  Lydia  too, -I  insist  upon  that, — she's  ex- 
pected as  well  as  yourself." 

Here  Lydia  gazed  inquiringly  at  Mother  Garlic, 
who  was  sorely  puzzled  what  to  reply. 

''  It  might  do  the  dear  child  no  harm  ;  nay,  I'm 
willing  to  believe  the  change  would  be  beneficial," 
answered  the  dame,  in  a  tone  slow  and  measured, 
"  provided  she  kept  in  her  heart  the  same  devotion 
to  Christ  which  she  has  here,  and  fell  not  into  the 
snares  that  would  be  spread  for  her  destruction. 
Child,  would  you  like  to  visit  the  settlements  ?" 

"  Oh,  exceedingly,"  replied  Lydia  ;  "  but  father ! 
who'd  take  care  of  him?" 

"  Leave  that  to  me,"  said  Adams ;  "  I'm  going 
up  stairs  again,  presently,  and  I'll  broach  the  sub- 
ject, and  so  sure  am  I  he'll  grant  my  request  that 
you  may  consider  yourseK  henceforward  Goody 
Garlic's  niece,  or,  if  you  please,  her  daughter — 


46  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

there's  such  a  resembhince  between  you  "     Here 
he  laughed,  and  glanced  towards  the  old  maid. 

"  Now,  don't  speak  thus,"  returned  the  latter. 
"  If  you  mean  to  make  fuu  of  my  wrinkles,  remem- 
ber that  Lydia's  own  fair  skin  will  not  be  as  it  is 
now  forty  years  hence,  if  the  Almighty  spares  hei 
to  reach  that  age." 

These  words  were  uttered  with  so  much  feeling 
that  Adams  was  touched.  "  Well,  well,  forgive  me," 
he  exclaimed;  "I  know  I'm  a  rough  fellow,  better 
fit  to  be  with  lumbermen  and  hunters  than  the  like 
of  you  and  Miss  Lydia.  Forgive  me,  and  then  T 
can  go  and  ])lay  cards  with  a  quiet  spirit." 

As  he  appeared  sincere  she  let  him  shake  her 
hand,  but  as  he  was  doing  it  she  determined  to 
narn  him  once  more  against  the  sinful  amusement. 
She  wished  also  to  tell  him  tliat  she  had  scruples 
about  the  girl's  taking  a  false  name. 

[le  must  have  guessed  what  was  on  her  tongue, 
for  suddenly  he  drew  back  with  a  grin,  and  in 
another  moment  was  darting  up  the  stair-case.  Pre- 
sently Christian  stretched  out  his  arms  and  gave  a 
yawn,  then  rose  and  went  out  to  take  a  look  at  the 
stock  and  see  if  any  wolves  were  prowling  around ; 
ior  after  such  a  snow  storm  some  of  them  might 
mount  upon  a  drift  and  get  inside  the  stockade. 
While  he  was  thus  employed,  Prudence  ami  Lydia 
finished  washing  and  putting  by  the  supper- things, 


CHABTER   OAK.  47 

after  wliicli  tliej  sat  down  near  tlie  fire  and  there, 
needle  in  hand,  began  chatting  about  society  in  a 
way  neither  of  them  had  ever  done  before.  At 
length,  so  unmindful  did  the  goodwife  become  of 
all  her  own  precepts,  that  she  suddenly  found  her- 
self describing  a  rollicking  husking  party  in  New 
Haven  in  the  years  long  gone  by,  where  a  saucy 
youth  liad  kissed  her  twice  on  each  cheek.  She 
had  Just  let  slip  this  fact  when  she  stopped,  bit  her 
lip,  and  refused  to  go  on  with  her  story,  although 
Lydia  pressed  her  hard. 

"  The  w^orld's  vanities,"  thought  Mother  Garlic, 
"  will  come  soon  enough  when  once  the  dear  child 
leaves  this  cabin.  Happily  the  laws  are  strict  and 
forbid  kissing,  as  well  as  ribbons,  laces  and  silver 
ornaments,  and  it  will  take  the  devil  some  time  to 
tlirow  his  net  around  her,  if  he  ever  does,  which 
Christ  forbid." 


CHAPTEK   II. 

Mother  Gaelic  saw  nothing  more  of  Adams  that 
©Yening,  for  he  remained  with  Colonel  Goffe  playing 
cards  till  long  after  she  and  Lydia  had  gone  to 
to  bed.  Before  retiring,  however,  she  stood  a  mo- 
ment listening  at  her  master's  door,  and  when  she 
discovered   what  lie  was  doing  fell  on  her  knees 


48  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

and  prayed  the  Lord  to  forgive  him.  It  shocked 
her  beyond  measure  to  see  one  whom  she  esteem- 
ed so  highly,  thus  led  astray ;  and  although  Si- 
mon had  given  her  a  great  deal  of  pleasure  in 
bringing  the  letter  fi-om  Charity  Crabtree,  she 
still  could  not  forget  that  he  had  likewise  intro- 
duced forbidden  things  into  the  house,  and  for 
more  than  an  hour  she  lay  awake  on  her  couch, 
groaning  over  it.  And  when  she  opened  her  eyes 
again,  after  a  fitful  slumber,  it  was  the  first  thing 
entered  her  mind.  "  I'll  take  care  of  the  child  at 
any  rate,"  she  said,  as  she  bustled  about  the  fire- 
place next  morning,  with  nobody  to  help  her,  for 
Lydia  had  remained  awake  even  longer  than  her- 
self, thinking  of  the  probable  -sisit  to  Hartford,  and 
consequently  was  rather  late  rising.  ''  No  doubt," 
she  continued,  "  it'll  do  the  child  good  to  see  a  lit- 
tle of  the  world ;  I'll  do  my  best  to  keep  her  inno- 
cent. The  like  of  Adams  W'ould  soon  make  her 
worthy  of  the  stocks  and  the  ducking-stool.  li 
he's  wicked  enough  to  play  cards,  he's  wicked 
enough  to  drink,  and  then,  dear  knows  to  what  ex- 
tent he  may  be  in  Satan's  power." 

The  object  of  her  vituperation  Was  at  this  very 
moment  hard  at  work  shovelling  the  snow  away 
from  the  door.  The  sun  had  just  risen  and  the  air. 
even  for  January,  was  bitterly  cold.  Nevertheless, 
he  seemed  to  enjoy  it,  and  w^lien,  now  and  then,  he 


CHARTEH   OAK.  49 

stopped  to  rub  his  hands,  he  would  glance  up  at 
the  blue  sky  and  grin. 

"  If  I  succeed,"  said  he,  "  in  my  plans,  TYL  wil- 
lingly do  a  fortnight's  fasting.  Ah !  how  delight- 
ful if  I  can  only  bring  it  about.  Just  think  of  it, 
all  living  together  in  a  civilized  place !  This  is  not 
a  fit  home  for  a  man  of  Colonel  Goffe's  age,  broken 
by  rheumatism,  nor  for  a  sweet  blossom  like  Miss 
Lydia.  No,  she  mustn't  be  let  grow  into  an  old 
maid,  which  she  certainly  will  if  she  remains  here." 
Presently  his  look  changed  to  a  frown  :  "  But  it's 
too  bad  to  think  she  must  cut  off  those  lovely 
curls ;  yet  if  Increase  Mather  sees  her,  what  can 
prevent  it?  And  Israel  Barebones,  the  Ruling 
Elder,  he  too,  will  insist  on  having  them  clipped. 
1  don't  believe  Captain  Joe  would  object  to  'em  if 
he  were  only  let  alone ;  but  he  has  such  scruples 
about  everything  Avhich  isn't  approved  by  the  min- 
isters of  the  gospel,  who  are  the  very  deuce  for 
meddling.  I've  told  him  a  hundred  times  that 
we're  just  as  good  as  they  are,  and  that  we  ought 
to  do  our  own  preaching.  But  because  I  hold  such 
an  opinion,  folks  call  me  mad,  and  I  guess  it's 
partly  the  reason  why  they've  taken  from  me  the 
title  of  *  Mr.'     Bah !  what  a  queer  world  this  is  !" 

Wliile  he  was  thus  soliloquizing,  his  shovel  kept 
plunging  into  the  snow,  scattering  it  at  such  a  rate 
that  one  might  have  supposed  he  was  working  for 


50  ROMANCE   OP   THE 

a  wager  ;  but  he  always  worked  witli  energy  when 
he  worked  at  all,  and  he  had  made  up  his  mind 
not  only  to  remove  the  drift,  but  also  to  clear  a 
space  in  front  of  the  house  where  Lydia  might  take 
some  exercise.  He  believed  fresh  air  was  better 
for  the  health  than  anything  else ;  and  we  know 
he  had  a  special  reason  for  wishing  the  girl  to 
preserve  hers.  Let  dame  Garlic  say  what  she 
w^ould,  Adams  was  a  kind-hearted  being.  It  is 
true  he  drank  ale  and  cider  pretty  freely,  was 
fond  of  cards,  and  now  and  then  would  utter  a 
profane  word  ;  but  remember  he  had  fi'om  boy- 
hood led  a  roving  life,  and  never  until  lately  had 
he  chosen  a  home.  While  he  was  thus  employed, 
laying  the  foundation  of  a  voracious  appetite,  the 
door  suddenly  opened  and  the  old  maid  peeped 
out.  There  was  a  sternness  in  her  exprassion 
which  he  had  never  noticed  before,  while  at  the 
same  time  her  eyes  showed  that  she  was  excit- 
ed. Now  Adams  was  quick-witted,  and  guess- 
ed at  once  that  she  was  bent  on  giving  him  a 
lecture,  and  if  he  wished  to  escape  it  he  must,  with- 
out losing  a  moment,  turn  her  thoughts  on  some 
other  subject.  So  straightening  up  his  back  he 
bade  her  good  morning,  and  inquired  if  she  had 
had  any  dreams  during  the  night.  He  knew  this 
was  an  awe-inspiring  subject ;  and  sure  enough, 
just  as  he  had  hoped,  she  forgot  all  about  the  ex- 


CHAETER    OAK.  51 

hortation,  and  opening  the  door  a  little  wide]-,  re- 
plied in  a  solemn  voice  :  "  Yes,  I  did  have  one." 

"  Then  tell  it  to  me,  and  I'll  shovel  all  the  harder 
Avliile  I  listen.  Isn't  there  something  in  it  about 
Charit}'  Crabtree  ? — who,  by  the  way,  writes  down 
all  her  dreams." 

"As  I  do  mine ;  but  in  this  one  there  was 
nought  about  my  friend." 

"  Well,  I'd  give  anything  to  see  the  book  where 
they're  recorded  ;  women's  dreams  are  so  much 
more  toucljiiig  than  men's  !  Hard  world,  good- 
wife,  eh  ?  if  it  weren't  for  the  women  folk." 

But  although  during  the  next  five  minutes  ho 
said  more  sweet  things  of  the  female  sex  than  we 
care  to  repeat,  he  failed  in  inducing  the  old  maid 
to  tejl  anything  further  about  her  vision  ;  not  that 
she  disliked  being  questioned  on  the  subject— she 
rather  liked  it,  and  used  daily  to  read  to  Lydia  a 
n<ii^e  or  so  out  of  a  certain  flv-blown  manuscript 
which  was  kept  on  the  top  shelf  of  the  cupboard — 
but  she  considered  Adams  not  the  kind  of  person 
to  appreciate  the  wonderful  things  which  flitted 
through  her  brain  during  sleep. 

"  Peihaps,"  he  continued,  as  she  was  about 
shutting  the  door,  "perhaps  you  think  I'm  not 
serious.  Well,  if  you  do  you're  mistaken  ;  I  be- 
lieve that  during  sleep  spirits  good  and  bad  whis- 
per in  our  ears  and  sometimes  foretell  the  future. 


52  llOMANCE   OF  THE 

I've  heard  that  Increase  Mather  holds  the  same 
belief,  though  it's  not  on  that  account  I  hold  it. 
However,  if  jou  prefer  keeping  your  dream  secret, 
I'll  not  complain.  Allow  me  to  be  more  frank  and 
tell  you  mine." 

The  goodwife  at  once  thrust  her  head  further 
out,  and  turning  her  left  ear  towards  him,  bade 
him  begin. 

"  I  dreamt,"  said  he,  with  an  inward  chuckle, 
"  that  this  log  cabin  was  abandoned,  and  that  you 
and  the  Colonel  and  Miss  Lydia  were  living  in 
Hartford — where  you  must  know  I  have  at  last 
concluded  to  settle  down — the  girl  married  to  one 
of  the  best  of  men,  and  yourself  provided  with  a 
comfortable  home  for  the  rest  of  your  da^^s.  Now 
that's  the  whole  of  my  dream — what  do  you  think 
of  it?" 

For  a  moment  after  he  had  finished  speaking 
she  watched  him  narrowly,  as  if  to  satisfy  herself 
he  was  not  making  fun  of  her.  But  his  rugged 
face  did  not  betray  the  least  sign  of  a  smile, nor  did 
his  black  eyes  twinkle  as  much  as  usual.  He 
certainly  appeared  sincere.  Then  clasping  her 
hands  she  murmured,  "Amen!"  and  closed  the 
door.  "  'Twas  something  like  my  own  dream,"  she 
muttered,  as  she  began  preparing  the  breakfast. 
"  I  wonder  it  never  occurred  to  the  Colonel  nor 
me  that  the  girl  shouldn't  stay  any  longer  in  these 


CHARTER   OAK.  53 

dismal  ^voods.  Indeed,  I  liardly  belie\e  there 
would  be  any  danger  if  he  were  to  leave  it  himself. 
The  spies  who  once  discovered  him  in  Hartford 
probably  think  he's  dead.  But  if  the  worst  came 
to  the  worst  and  they  were  to  find  him  .igain,  this 
spot  would  always  be  a  refuge.  Oh,  if  my  dream 
could  come  true !" 

In  a  few  minutes  the  j^ot  of  j^otatoes  hanging 
over  the  fire  began  to  boil,  and  as  she  stood  hi 
.  front  of  the  blazing  logs,  she  fancied  she  saw 
strange  thiligs  in  the  embers.  There,  peeping  up 
at  her  from  beneath  the  forestick,  was  the  face  of 
Charity  Crabtree,  such  as  she  had  known  it  in  her 
younger  days.  She  did  not  reflect  that  time  must 
have  altered  it  and  carved  more  than  one  wrinkle 
on  her  friend's  brow.  She  was  still  gazing  at  the 
fire  when  Lydia  made  her  appearance,  blushing  to 
discover  the  table  already  set  and  the  morning 
meal  almost  ready  ;  for  she  was  by  nature  an  early 
bird  and  had  seen  the  sun  rise  oftener  than  Goody 
Garlic.  Soon  Adams  entered,  stamping  the  snow 
off  his  feet  and  blowing  his  fingers. 

"  I  knew  the  Colonel  wouldn't  object,"  he  ex- 
claimed, addressing  Lydia.  "  I  made  the  matter 
so  plain  to  him  that  he  hadn't  a  word  to  say. 
Yes"— here  his  face  broke  into  a  grin — "  you  are 
to  visit  the  settlements." 

"  Indeed  !"  said  the  girl.     "  Well,  the  pleasure  of 


5i  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

going  there  will  certainly  be  great ;  but  who  will 
take  care  of  father  ?  It  will  not  do  to  leave  him 
alone  with  Christian." 

"Never  mind  that;  my  scheme  is  working  to 
[)erfection.  A  bird's  nest  isn't  built  in  an  hour. 
Trust  me,  I  can  see  my  way  clear  to  the  end." 

In  a  few  minutes  the  Pequot  entered,  then  tak 
ing  their  places  at  the  table  they  offered  a  shoii 
grace  and  sat  down.  Adams  alone  remained 
standing,  and  the  figure  which  he  presented  was 
most  comic,  ns  with  face  turned  sligiitly  upward, 
he  gave  his  eyes  a  downward  slant  on  the  jug  of 
milk.  When  at  length  he  finished  his  prayer,  he 
followed  their  example  and  showed  by  his  ravenous 
appetite  that  his  morning's  work  in  the  snow  had 
been  severe. 

"  'Twould  take  a  good  deal  to  keep  me  in 
'wittles',"  he  said,  after  he  had  emptied  his  second 
bowl  of  milk. 

"  Well,  there's  plenty,  go  on,"  replied  Lydia, 
handnig  him  another  venison  steak. 

"  I  can't  refuse,  Miss"— drawing  a  long  breath — 
"  while  there's  room  the  spirit's  willing ;  I  con- 
sider a  hearty  meal  a  kind  of  prayer,  and  experi- 
ence teaches  me  that  appetite's  the  corner-stone 
of  cheerfulness.  I  don't  believe  the  Lord  likes  a 
sour  face." 

They  remained  at  table  longer  than  usual,  listen- 


CHARTER   OAK.  0:1 

ing  to  Simon,  who  was  anxious  that  the  girl  should 
obtain  as  much  knowledge,  as  possible  of  the 
pleasant  lives  which  people  led  in  the  settlements ; 
and  his  words,  as  we  may  imagine,  did  not  lessen 
her  impatience  to  see  the  world,  while  the  revela- 
tions which  her  nurse  had  made,  the  evening  be- 
fore, of  her  own  youthful  frolics,  prevented  the 
latter  from  finding  fault  with  the  expressions  of  de- 
light which  every  now  and  then  escaped  her. 
When  the  meal  was  over,  Christian  went  into  the 
barn,  where  he  supplied  the  stock  with  water  and 
fodder  enough  to  last  till  evening  ;  after  which, 
fastening  on  his  snow  shoes  and  taking  a  quiver 
full  of  arrows  and  his  best  hickory  bow,  he  set  off 
for  the  forest.  He  intended  to  make  this  a  holi- 
day, and  Lydia,  as  she  saw  him  vault  over  the 
stockade,  declared  that  she  was  not  going  to  be 
pent  up  herself  such  lovely  %veather.  The  sky  was 
never  so  blue,  the  wind  had  died  away,  and  she  re- 
solved to  spend  as  many  hours  as  possible  walking 
in  the  cleared  space  which  Adams  had  made  in 
front  of  the  house.  Goody  Garlic  highly  approved 
of  her  determination,  and  having  wrapped  her  up 
in  two  thick  cloaks  bade  her  go  enjoy  herself.  As 
for  Simon,  he  felt  as  happy  as  a  cricket,  and  kept 
running  back  and  forth  between  the  Colonel  and 
Lydia,  chatting  and  leaving  behind  him  on  the  stair- 
case a  stream  of  melted  snow,  which  S(^rely  tried  the 


56  PiOMANCE    OF  THE 

temper  of  the  old  maid.  In  a  whole  month  Lydia 
liad  not  laughed  as  much  as  to-day,  and  so  swiftly 
did  the  hours  pass  that  breakfast  and  dinner  ap- 
peared like  one  meal.  Then  came  the  afternoon, 
which  Simon  spent  in  making  a  snow  man,  and 
even  Prudence,  who  usually  kept  her  countenance 
under  control,  could  not  help  smiling  when  she 
looked  at  it ;  and  when  at  length  the  sun  touched 
the  tops  of  the  cedars  at  the  west,  it  was  difficult 
for  them  to  realize  that  evening  had  come  again. 
Just  as  they  were  sitting  down  to  supper  the  Pequot 
returned,  dragging  after  him  the  hind  quarter  of  a 
moose.  This  was  all  he  had  been  able  to  bring 
home,  and  he  told  them  that  if  they  wanted  the 
rest  of  the  carcase  Adams  must  help  him  get  it. 
Accordingly,  after  satisfying  their  appetites,  they 
started  off  in  search  of  it,  and  walked  briskly,  too, 
for  there  was  danger  of  the  wolves  reaching  the 
prize  first.  They  were  fortunate  enough  to  find  it 
untouched,  and  that  night  it  was  hung  up  in  the 
woodshed,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  Goody 
Garlic,  who  had  begun  to  fear  their  supply  of  meat 
would  run  short. 

The  week  which  followed  Adams'  arrival  was  a 
very  happy  one.  The  snow  rapidly  melted,  and  the 
sound  of  the  water  trickling  down  the  side  of  the 
cabin  was  sweet  music  in  Lydia's  ear.  Stumps 
which  had  been  buried  for  weeks  became  visible 


CHARTER   OAK.  57 

again ;  wliile  the  pines  and  the  cedar  trees  exhaled 
a  bahny  odor,  such  as  we  perceive  when  spring  is 
approaching.  Yet  this  was  only  the  January  thaw. 
Cold  weather  had  still  to  come.  As  Adams  has 
already  informed  us,  Colonel  Goffe  had  consented 
to  let  his  daughter  visit  the  settlements,  and  it  was 
agreed  that  Prudence  and  Lydia,  under  the  care  of 
Christian,  should  set  out  for  Hartford  as  soon  as 
the  trail  along  the  river  bank  would  be  fit  to  travel 
upon  ;  and  judging  from  all  signs,  this  would  be  in 
a  very  few  days. 

Of  packing  there  was  little  to  do a  sheep- 
skin bag  would  sufiice  to  hold  their  scanty  ward- 
robe, and  this  the  Indian  might  carry  on  hia 
shoulders,  while  the  women  rode  Jack,  the  same 
old  horse  which  so  many  years  before  had  broughl 
them  here  from  New  Haven.  Only  once  aftei 
giving  his  consent  did  the  Colonel  appear  to  regret 
it ;  and  on  that  occasion  he  spoke  to  Adams  of  the 
danger  of  travelling  in  midwinter,  and  hinted  that 
they  ought  to  postpone  their  visit  until  April.  Bui 
the  tavern  keeper  stoutly  opposed  any  delay. 

"  The  thirty  miles,"  said  he,  "  can  be  easily  ac- 
complished. Christian  knows  the  road ;  in  fact,  who 
but  a  blind  man  could  miss  it,  since  it  follows  the 
Connecticut  the  whole  distance.  Then  again 
think,  sir,  how  important  that  your  daughter  should 
make  the  most  of  her  blossom  days  and  not  miss 


58  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

any  cliance  of  getting  a  husband.  Once  under 
Charity  Crabtree's  hospitable  roof,  she  will  meet 
many  God-fearing  men,  and  I  doubt  not  before  the 
next  chestnuts  are  ripe,  she'll  not  be  called  Lydia 
Goffe  any  more.  I  see  my  words  bring  tears  to 
to  your  eyes,  sir,  but  you  know  how  time  slips  away. 
It  won't  stand  still ;  she  can't  afford  to  wait." 

Here  the  regicide  bowed  his  head,  and,  although 
it  was  a  sore  trial,  once  more  gave  his  full  con- 
sent to  the  journey.  If  she  went,  would  she  come 
back  ? — what  might  happen  during  her  absence  ? 
Many  Faich  thoughts  rushed  upon  him,  and  it  was 
a  hard  struggle  to  say  she  might  go. 
•  "  Moreover,"  continued  Adams,  after  a  pause, 
"  if  my  scheme  succeeds  you  won't  be  here  long 
yourself.  Ha  !  you  look  surprised ;  well,  I  shan't 
explain ;  but  you  know  I'm  a  keen  feUow,  and  you 
can  put  faith  in  me." 

"  Yes,  }  es,  Adams,  I  believe  whatever  you  do 
will  be  for  the  best." 

"  Well,  then,  sir,  I  repeat  you  may  soon  leave 
this  place ;  I  want  you  to  be  where  you  can  enjoy 
life  and  get  frequent  news  from  England.  That  I 
know  you  would  like  above  all  things.  Wherever 
I  bring  you,  it  will  be  among  friends." 

At  last  the  evening  before  the  day  of  departure 
arrived,  and  everything  was  bustle  in  the  cabin. 
Simon,  who  was  going  to  remain  and  take  care  of 


CHAETEK  OAK.  59 

tlie  Colonel,  was  being  initiated  by  Piudence  into 
the  mysteries  of  housekeeping,  and  she  Avas  giving 
liim  the  lesson  in  the  most  thorough  manner.  The 
cupboard  was  examined  from  top  to  bottom  ;  cups, 
saucers,  platters,  pitchers  counted  ;  the  flipding, 
and  the  grease  to  fill  it,  shown  him ;  and  then, 
with  uplifted  fiuger,  she  cautioned  him  about  sweep- 
ing the  floor  after  every  meal,  even  though  he  were 
the  only  person  at  tal)le. 

"  And  on  the  afternoon  of  the  seventh  daj^"  she 
continued,  "  be  sure  and  scrub.  But  when  the  sun 
is  down  stop  work,  for  then  the  Sabbath  begins; 
remember  the  Bible  says,  '  the  evening  and  the 
morning  were  the  first  day.'  Let  things  be  kept 
clean  and  neat,  and  don't  let  me  return  and  find 
all  topsy-turvy.  I  know  the  men  folks  hate  to  have 
their  rooms  put  in  order,  and  Colonel  Goffe  doesn't 
differ  in  this  respect  from  the  rest  of  'em,  as  I've 
often  observed  when  I'd  be  putting  his  odds  and 
ends  to  rights  uj^  stairs.  But  try,  Adams,  and  be  a 
glorious  exception,  and  so  may  the  Lord  give  you  a 
blessing." 

"  And  do  take  the  best  care  of  father,"  said 
Lyilia  ;  "  indeed  I  almost  think  it  Avrong  for  me  to 
leave  him  when  he's  so  infirm.  Don't  forget  to 
tuck  the  blankets  under  him  every  night,  and  sit 
up  stairs  as  much  as  possible." 

Here  she  turned  away  saying  to  herself,  "  Ought 


60  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

I  to  go  ?"  At  tlie  same  time  she  felt  a  longing 
to  be  off ;  it  was  an  irresistible  impulse.  Presently 
she  heard  her  father  calling,  and  at  once  hastened 
to  his  room. 

"  I  wanted  to  tell  you,"  he  said,  running  his  thin 
fingers  through  her  curls,  which  were  streaming 
over  the  pillow,  "  that  you  must  leave  me  with  a 
light  heart.  I  give  my  full  consent  to  this  move ; 
nay,  I  wish  you  to  go." 

"  O  father  !  thank  you  for  saying  this,"  she  ex- 
claimed, kissing  him  ;  "  I  would  not  have  passed  a 
single  happy  hour  if  you  hadn't." 

"  Thirty  miles,  Lydia,  is  but  a  short  distance. 
"Why,  in  Cromwell's  army  I've  ridden  that  before 
breaking  fast.  Then  again  I  will  be  much  com- 
forted to  think  you  are  under  the  care  of  Prudence 
GarHc.  She  was  long  a  domestic  in  the  Kev.  Mr. 
Davenport's  family,  and  I  know  he  would  not  have 
kept  in  his  service  any  but  a  God-fearing  person. 
Should  it  chance  that  you  fall  in  with  those  whose 
conversation  may  not  be  edifying,  boldly  turn  away 
from  them.  The  country,  however,  is  blessed  with 
laws  made  conformable  with  Holy  Scripture,  and 
hence  it  is  not  likely  there  are  many  such  per- 
sons to  be  found.  But,  whatever  you  do,  hold 
your  head  erect ;  cast  not  your  eyes  upon  the 
ground.  Satan  when  he  cometh  to  the  attack  is 
never  repelled  by  humble,  timid  looks.     Be  In-ave 


CHARTER  OAK.  61 

and  pray  hard,  and  if  you  find  a  man  ^\lio  truly 
loves  yon,  and  whom  you  can  esteem,  by  all  means 
accept  him,  if  he  offers  himself  in  marriage.  You 
may  confide  to  him  who  you  are ;  keep  no  secrets 
from  a  husband.     But  until  then — " 

"  Yes,"  exclaimed  Lydia,  smiling ;  "  till  then  T 
am  to  be  called  Miss  Garlic,  and  pass  oft'  for  the 
goodwife's  niece.  Ah,  what  scruples  she  had  ou 
this  point.- 

For  an  instant  the  regecide's  brow  contracted. 
"  Does  Prudence  carry  religion  so  far  as  that,"  he 
said,  angrily,  "when  she  knows  what  might  hap- 
pen if  the  world  discovered  your  true  name  ?" 

"But  her  scruples,  father,  have  been  overcome; 
I  told  her  I  would  not  go  unless  I  took  another 
name."  Here  Lydia  once  more  gave  the  old  gen- 
tleman, a  kiss,  then  went  below  to  assist  Mother 
Garlic  set  the  table.  As  had  been  the  case  for  a 
week  past,  the  conversation  at  supper  turned  wholly 
on  the  coming  visit  to  Hartford,  and  Adams,  for 
the  first  time,  hinted  that  the  girl  might  have  to 
cut  off  her  tresses — he  thought  it  best  to  prepare 
her  for  it  by  degrees. 

"  How  so  !"  exclaimed  Lydia,  quite  taken  by  sur- 
prise. 

"  Because  the  laws  are  very  strict  in  regard 
to  how  we  adorn   our  bodies,  and   as  curls  make 


62  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

the  lassies  so  bewitching  tliey  are  not  a|ipi'oved 
of." 

"  Oil,  in  that  case  the  child  will  not  hesitate  a 
moment,"  said  Prudence,  "  and  if  jou  give  her  a 
pair  of  scissors  she'll  obey  at  once  " — here  the  old 
nurse  turned  to  look  for  her  work-basket. 

"  Nay,"  cried  the  tavern  keeper,  "  why  be  in  such 
haste?  Let  her  wear  'em  as  long  as  possible. 
They'll  touch  a  man's  heart  quickei'  even  than  her 
hazel  eyes,  or  her  dimple  chin.  Let  them  do  all 
the  good  they  can  before  they're  destroyed." 

At  these  words  Lydia  blushed.  To  tell  the  truth, 
she  loved  her  curls,  and  was  not  altogether  pleased 
at  the  idea  of  losing  them. 

"  I  wish  I  was  the  captain,"  thought  Adams,  fix- 
ing his  eyes  upon  the  girl,  for  he  fancied  she  had 
never  looked  so  beautiful ;  "  it  isn't  often  brains 
and  beauty  come  together." 

When  the  meal  was  over,  Lydia  returned  to  her 
father's  room,  and  advancing  on  tip-toe  to  the  side 
of  the  bed,  found  he  was  asleep.  Then  softly,  so  as 
not  to  wake  him,  she  fell  on  her  knees  and  begged 
the  Lord  to  spare  her  to  get  back.  While  she  was 
praying,  a  wolf  began  to  howl,  and  although  it  w^as 
a  sound  familiar  to  her  ears  since  childhood,  there 
was  something  about  it  this  evening  exceedingly 
mournful,  and  she  could  not  help  shuddering.  Pre- 
sently the  old  soldier  awoke,  and  fc^ehng  her  hand 


CHARlEll   OAK.  63 

on  the  coverlet  patted  it  aiul  told  her  he  had  been 
di'eaming  of  her.  She  rciuaiiied  with  him  this  even- 
ing till  a  later  hour  than  was  her  custom — she 
could  not  bear  to  say  "  good-night ;"  on  the  morrow 
she  was  to  go  among  strangers,  and  these  hours  at 
her  father's  side  were  precious.  Perhaps  she  exag- 
gerated the  distance  and  the  danger  of  the  journey, 
yet  her  f '^elings  were  natural  when  we  consider  the 
lonely  life  she  had  thus  far  been  leading.  When, 
finally,  she  withdrew  to  her  couch,  she  lay  a  long 
time  aAvake  listening  to  the  wolf,  and  more  than 
once  the  thought  crossed  her  mind  that  she  might 
never  pass  another  night  here.  When,  after  a  fitful 
slumber,  she  opened  her  eyes  and  saAV  the  grey 
light  of  dawn  stealing  in  through  the  little  window 
at  the  foot  of  her  bed,  she  rose  and  hastened  to 
look  out  to  see  what  kind  of  day  it  promised  to  be. 
The  sky  was  without  a  cloud,  and  the  morning  star 
twinkled  as  it  only  does  when  it  is  extremely  cold. 
Having  gazed  out  a  moment,  she  put  on  her  gown, 
then  crept  softly  down  stairs  so  as  not  to  awaken 
the  goodwife,  who  was  still  snoring.  The  fire  Ava>! 
soon  kindled,  and  roaring  up  the  chimney  with  sucl. 
a  noise  that  one,  at  least,  of  the  sleepers  heard  it,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  Prudence  appeared  with  a  smile 
on  her  face  and  an  approving  nod,  as  much  as  to 
say  :  "  Well  done,  child !"     But  when  she  discover- 


64  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

ed  that  neither  Christian  nor  Adams  had,  as  yet, 
made  their  appearance,  she  broke  out  into  a  violent 
tirade  against  the  whole  male  sex.  Her  voice  soon 
roused  the  lazj  ones. 

"  We  do  all  the  drudgery,"  she  cried,  "  and  yet 
they  pretend  to  be  our  betters  and  lord  it  over  us 
just  as  our  big  rooster  does  over  the  hens.  But 
he  only  crows  and  eats  up  the  corn — does  he  ever 
lay  an  egg  ?  not  he !  and  when  the  chickens  are 
hatched  does  he  take  care  of  them  ?  not  he  !  O  fie 
on  the  men  folks  !  Mi  ad,  Lydia,  if  any  man  ever 
asks  you  to  be  his  wife  make  your  bargain  before 
the  knot's  tied.  If  you  don't,  he'll  lay  awake 
mornings  while  you're  down  cooking  his  breakfast. 
O  fie  on  'em  !" — here  she  stamped  her  foot—"  I 
don't  mean  to  be  irreverent  to  scripture,  but  it  has 
always  been  my  notion  that  if  Adam  was  made 
first,Eve  was  just  worth  two  of  him." 

"  It's  all  very  fine  to  talk  that  way,"  growled 
Simon,  as  he  descended  from  the  upper  story ; 
"  but  if  it  hadn't  been  for  your  side  of  the  house 
we'd  be  living  now  in  Paradise.  Oh  how  the 
woman  folk  must  love  apples  !" 

Scarcely  had  these  words  passed  his  lips  when 
down  came  a  broomstick  across  his  shoulders,  then 
up  it  went  till  it  touched  tiie  ceiling ;  then  down 
again,  swift  and  hard  upon  his  right  arm.     In  fact, 


CHARTER   OAK.  ^^ 

he  afterwards  confessed  it  was  the  roughest  usage 
he  had  received  since  King  PhiHp's  war. 

"  That'll  cure  your  saucy  tongue,"  cried  Pru- 
dence, lifting  her  weapon  for  a  third  blow.  But 
ghe  was  not  quick  enough- — the  tavern  keeper 
was  rushing  towards  the  door  and  in  another 
moment  was  safe  outside.  Just  then  Christian 
came  sneaking  down  and  went  straight  off  to  the 
barn  where  the  stock  were  anxiously  waiting  for 
him.  During  the  next  half  hour,  Lydia  and  the 
goodwife  busied  themselves  preparing  breakfast, 
and  they  made  all  the  haste  they  could,  for  the 
sun  would  soon  be  above  the  horizon.  When  it 
was  ready,  Lydia  went  to  the  door  and  blew  a 
horn,  then  lingered  a  moment  on  the  threshold  en- 
joying the  breeze  from  the  west,  which,  although 
it  was  keen,  made  her  feel  almos  j  as  if  she  could 
fly.  Never  had  the  heavens  appeared  so  gloriously 
blue,  and  the  sparkhng  sno^v  looked  as  if  Winter 
had  been  scattering  diamonds  over  the  landscape. 

"  The  nag  is  as  full  of  the  devil  as  a  certain 
friend  of  mine,"  said  Adams,  presently  walking  up; 
"Jack  has  done  nothing  this  morning  but  paw  and 
neigh  ;  I  bet  he's  had  a  dream  " 

"  Hush !"  exclaimed  Lydia,  "  you  shall  not  tease 
nurse." 

For  a   moment  Simon   grinned,   then,   without 


66  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

waiting  for  the  others,  began  liis  grace,  after 
which  he  sat  down,  and  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
did  not  utter  a  word.  The  meal  spread  before  hiii) 
was  certainly  worthy  of  his  undivided  attention — 
the  Indian  cakes  had  never  tasted  better,  and  his 
hand  was  often  stretched  towards  the  jug  of  maple 
syru23.  "  I'd  grow  fat  if  I  lived  here,"  he  sighed, 
unbuttoning  his  coat;  "I'd  Hke  to  eat  one  more 
griddle  but  I  can't ;  it's  not,  however,  for  want  of 
will" 

"  Well,  I'm  sure  there's  not  another  girl  in  Con- 
necticut can  make  those  cakes  equal  to  Lydia," 
exclaimed  Mother  Garlic,  proudly. 

"  Well,  it  was  you  taught  me,"  said  the  girl. 

"'  Her  merits  will  soon  be  discovered  when  she 
gets  to  the  settlements,"  pursued  Adams;  "but 
come,  it's  time  to  be  moving.  Don't  be  long  clear- 
ing i)if  these  things  and  p  tting  them  away ;  I 
want  you  to  take  an  early  start,  anJi  tra\\,4  brisk, 
so  as  to  reach  Hartford  afore  dusk." 

Here  he  rose,  lit  his  pipe  and  walked  out,  turn- 
ing round,  however,  before  closing  the  door  to  say 
that  he  would  have  Jack  saddled  in  a  very  little 
^^hile.  Christian  followed  him,  and  when  they 
were  in  the  barn  Simon  proceeded  to  give  the 
youth  some  final  instructions  regarding  the  journey, 
and,  for  the  second  time,  asked  him  if  he  would 
not   take  a  i-ifle  instead  of  his  bow  and   arrows. 


CHAKTER  OAK.  fi? 

This  the  Pequot  stubboi-iilj  lefusecl  to  do.  "  I'm 
not  afraid  of  wolves,"  said  the  youth  ;  "if  any  of 
them  come  close  enough  I'll  use  my  tomahawk." 

Perceiving  that  further  argument  was  useless  he 
dropped  the  subject,  and  stood  silently  by  till 
Christian  had  put  the  saddle  on  the  horse,  merely 
remarking  that  it  was  time  to  have  a  new  girth,  as 
the  present  one  was  dear  knows  how  old.  In  the 
meanwhile  the  good  wife  was  busy  stowing  away 
her  own  and  Lydia's  effects  in  a  sheepskin  bag, and 
the  reader  may  be  sure  she  did  not  forget  her 
dream-book,  which  she  was  determined  Charity 
Crabti'ee  should  peruse,  of  course,  on  condition 
that  the  latter  would  show  her  hers.  When  she 
had  finished  packing,  she  gazed  around  to  see 
if  anything  else  required  her  attention,  but  she 
could  discover  nothing; — there  was  not  a  crumb  ou 
the  floor — every  saucer  and  platter  had  been  put 
by  in  the  cupboard,  and  the  Avhole  room  showed 
the  mark  of  woman's  attention.  "  How  different 
'twill  be  to-morrow,"  she  sighed,  "  and  every  day 
till  I  return,  things  will  grow  worse  and  worse  ; 
men  folks  love  dirt  and  disorder." 

At  length  she  heard  the  nag  approaching  from 
the  barn,  and  immediately  calling  out  to  Lydia, 
Avho  was  with  her  father,  to  make  haste,  the  dame 
put  on  her  cloak.  In  another  moment  the  old 
gentleman, who  had  resolved,  infirm   as  he  was,  to 


68  HOMANCE   OF  THE 

see  them  off,  came  slowly  down  the  stair-caso, 
leaning  on  his  daughter's  arm  and  looking  like 
some  ancient  patriarch  with  his  white  beard  and 
high,  noble  brow.  In  his  right  hand  he  held  the 
pack  of  cards  Simon  had  brought,  and  which  had 
already  afforded  him  a  great  deal  of  pleasure.  No 
sooner  did  the  dame  catch  sight  of  them  than  she 
groaned  and  rolled  up  her  eyes.  "  Ought  I,"  she 
asked  herself,  "  to  suffer  the  dear  child's  parent  to 
go  to  damnation  without  a  warning?  no,  no!"— 
and  as  she  pronounced  the  last  w^ord  she  advanced 
swiftly  to  the  bottom  of  the  steps.  Colonel  Goffe 
did  not  divine  her  purpose,  nor  did  Lydia,  who 
supposed  she  wanted  to  help  him  to  a  seat. 
Imagine  therefore  the  astonishment  of  both,  when 
Prudence  with  the  impetuosity  of  a  cat  when  she 
pounces  on  a  mouse,  seized  the  Colonel's  hand, 
unbent  his  fingers  and  took  away  the  cards. 
Never  in  all  her  life  had  the  gui  been  so  dumb- 
founded, and  she  looked  anxiously  at  her  father; 
but  the  latter  controlled  his  temper  after  a  brief 
struggle,  in  which  his  eyes  flashed  fury,  and 
presently  a  smile  broke  out  on  his  face.  He  knew 
that  Mother  Garlic  was  a  religious  fanatic,  as  he 
himself  had  been  in  former  days,  and  where  would 
be  the  use  of  quarrelling,  now  that  they  w^ere 
about  to  separate,  perhaps  for  months  ;  so  without 
uttering  a  word  he  advanced  across  the  room,  and 


CHARTER   OAK.  69 

seating  himself  near  the  fire  began  to  warm  his 
hands.  .  Such  perfect  composure  astonished  the 
old  lady,  who  hr.d  not  expected  an  easy  victory; 
indeed  if  the  ti'uth  must  be  told,  she  rather  re- 
gretted his  mildness,  as  it  lessened  her  excuse  for 
a  parting  exhortation.  She  felt  herself  suffering 
for  the  Avant  of  a  vent-hole,  through  which  her 
pent-up  feelings  might  escape,  and  for  half  a 
minute  after  getting  possession  of  the  trophy,  she 
could  do .  nothing  but  bite  her  lip.  Ought  she  to 
carry  the  sinful  things  away  in  her  pocket,  or  de- 
stroy them  at  once  ?  she  chose  the  latter  course. 

Approaching  the  old  gentleman  she  address- 
ed him  in  a  solemn  tone :  "  Colonel  Goffe,  if 
you  don't  reach  Zion  'tAvon't  be  because  I  didn't 
try  to  keep  you  on  the  straight  path  "  — then,  be- 
fore he  could  even  utter  an  exclamation,  the  pack 
was  in  the  fire,  twisting  and  turning  into  all  sorts 
of  shapes.  Lydia,  whose  indignation  could  now 
hardly  be  restrained,  flew  to  the  corner  where  the 
tongs  w^ere  kept,  but  Mother  Garlic  had  placed 
them  beyond  her  reach. 

"  Oh,  sir  !"  continued  the  dame,  "when  you  hear 
the  last  tiumpet  calling  us  to  judgment  you'll 
bless  me  for  what  I've  done." 

"  Yerily,"  he  exclaimed,  "  you  take  great  interest 
in  my  spiritual  welfare." 

"And  should  I  not,   sir?  if  we  helped  one  an- 


70  RO]\rANCE   OF  THE 

other  in  this  sinful  world  more  than  we  do — if 
when  a  pilgrim  strays  out  of  the  road  we  followed 
him  to  bring  him  back,  how  many  that  are  lost 
would  be  saved.  But  alas  !  the  way  is  rough  and 
tiresome,  and  we  appear  content  if  we  can  only  get 
to  Heaven  ourselves.  Oh,  sir,  think  how  mucJi 
greater  would  be  the  bliss  if  we  were  all  there  to- 
gether, none  of  those  whom  we  have  loved  on  earth 
missing." 

This  speech  made  such  an  impression  on  Lydia 
that  she  held  her  peace,  while  Colonel  Goffe  mur- 
mured "  Amen  !" 

Here  Adams  entered.  "  Come,  come !"  Ire  ex- 
claimed, "  the  sun's  up  ;  it's  not  wise  to  delay,  the 
trail  my  be  slippery  and  you'll  not  be  able  to  travel 
fast.  Remember  it's  twenty  miles  to  Windsor,  but 
I  don't  want  you  to  tarry  there  a  moment ;  you 
must  keep  right  on  to  Hartford,  so  as  to  reach  it 
by  nightfall." 

He  did  not  alarm  them  by  any  allusions  to  wild 
beasts — not  on  account  of  Lydia,  who  he  knew 
was  fearless,  nor  lest  he  might  shake  the  nerves  of 
Mother  Garlic — ^but  because  he  had  a  misgiving 
that  the  Colonel,  even  at  this  late  hour,  might  for- 
bid the  journey. 

The  girl  now  gave  her  father  an  affectionate 
embrace,  then  Avent  out  and  stood  a  moment 
patting  the  horse's  mane.     Presently  she  jumped 


CHARTER  OAK.  71 

liimbly  into  the  saddle,  while  Goody  Garlic  who 
had  followed  her  to  the  threshold,  remained  timid- 
ly gazing  at  the  pilUon,  i'oi  it  was  many  years  since 
she  had  ridden  on  one,  and  she  felt  little  inclined  to 
trust  herself  in  what  seemed  such  an  insecure 
place.  In  the  meanwhile  Colonel  Goffe  beckontd 
to  the  tavern  keeper,  and  whispered  something  in 
his  ear. 

In  a  moment  the  latter,  with  a  fierce  expression, 
strode  up  to  the  goodwife,  and  catching  her  by  the 
waist  lifted  her  without  ceremony  into  the  seat 
behind  Lydia,  muttering  as  he  did  so, 

"  I  hope  the  wild  beasts  will  devour  you ;  the 
ruad  is  infested  with  them." 

"  xlla.s !"  sighed  Prudence,  her  hands  tightly 
grasping  the  girl's  frock,  "  I  fear  the  largest  of 
them  remains  behind  in  the  fold  ;  I  shall  pray  for 
you,  however." 

Simon  grew  ]iale  with  rage,  and  he  was  on  the 
point  of  ()}:)ei!ly  u])braiding  her  for  having  de- 
stroyed the  p;ick  of  cards,  when  Jack  of  his  own 
ju-cord  staitcii  oli  and  left  him  to  get  over  his 
anger  by  pounding  his  fi^^.t  ii gainst  the  door. 
Colonel  Gone  paid  no  ci.ttention  to  hijn,  but  stood 
with  moistened  eyes  watcliiug  the  party  until  the 
forest  hid  tlieui  from  view.  He  then  returned  to 
his  place  near   the  hearth,  where  he  remained  an 


72  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

hour  or    more  thinking  of  his  daughter,  and  won- 
dering when  he  would  see  her  again. 

But  Adams  at  last  disturbed  his  reverie  by 
breaking  out  into  a  violent  tirade  against  the  laws 
of  Connecticut,  declaring  that  they  Avere  harsh  and 
ungodly ;  and  the  foolish  fellow  was  not  satisfied 
until  he  had  kicked  Mother  Garlic's  broom  into 
the  wood-shed,  where  it  lay  for  many  days  un- 
touched— if  indeed  it  was  ever  used  again. 


CHAPTER  III. 

The  party  travelled  briskly  along  the  Indian 
trail,  but  it  was  not  until  they  had  gone  five  miles 
and  more  that  the  goodwife  began  to  feel  at  her 
ease.  Even  then,  whenever  the  path  ran  a  little 
closer  to  the  bank,  she  would  tighten  her  grasp  of 
Lydia's  frock  and  hold  her  breath. 

"  There's  no  danger,"  the  latter  would  exclaim, 
"  and,  besides,  if  we  were  to  slide  down  on  the  river, 
the  ice  would  not  break,  it  is  ever  so  thick." 

"  You  should  have  been  born  a  man,"  was  the 
nurse's  reply ;  "  nothing  unnerves  you." 

"  Make  good  Indian,"  muttered  Christian,  open- 
ing his  lips  for  the  first  time  since,  their  departure. 

Little  by  little,  however,  her  timidity  wore  off, 
and  they  began  to  talk  about  the  pleasure  they 


CHARTER   OAK.  73 

would  have  in  Hartford.  Once  the  conversa- 
tion was  mterrupted  by  a  flock  of  mallard  that 
were  feeding  at  the  mouth  of  a  brook,  whose  cold 
spring  water,  ^vhere  it  emptied  into  the  Connecticut, 
had  kept  a  small  space  unfrozen.  The  splashing 
and  quacking  which  the  birds"  made  as  they  rose 
into  the  air,  was  enough  to  startle  the  goodwife, 
and  even  Jack  pricked  up  his  ears.  But  with  this 
exception  they  pursued  their  way  undisturbed  ;  the 
Indian  occasionally  stopping  to  examine  the  track 
of  some  wild  animal,  and  telling  them  if  it  was  a 
I  ear  or  a  moose.  The  forest  was  silent  as  death. 
Once  a  crow  flew  over  them  with  a  melancholy 
caw ;  at  another  time  a  bevy  of  partridges  hopped 
down  from  a  fallen  oak  and  ran  off  into  a  thicket 
of  hazel  bushes  ;  then  a  hare  as  white  as  the  snow, 
leisurely  crossed  the  path,  and  the  creature  looked 
so  saucy  that  the  Pequot  could  not  help  sending 
an  arrow  after  it,  which  however,  to  Lydia's  joy, 
missed  the  mark. 

It  was  not  until  they  had  accomplished  what 
they  believed  was  half  the  journey  that  they  made 
a  halt;   but  in  less  than   five   minutes   Christian 

urged  them   to  remount he   seemed  impatient, 

and  turned  his  eyes  anxiously  toward  the  sun. 

"  What  matters  it  if  we  don't  arrive  'till  dark," 
said  Lydia,  getting  on  the  saddle ;  "  a  blind  man 
(iouldn't  miss  the  way,  besides  there's  a  full  moon.*' 


74  EOMAKCE   OF  THE! 

*'  It's  only  a  wliim  of  his,"  added  Mother  GaiHcj 
whose  courage  had  wonderfully  revived  since  she 
had  eaten  a  slice  of  bread  and  bacon.  "  Tut ! 
there's  no  need  of  such  haste."  But  without  heed- 
ing either  of  them,  Christian  assisted  the  dame  on 
the  pilhon,  then  shouldering  again  his  bag,  made 
Lydia  a  sign  to  follow. 

"  There's  live  hours  of  daylight  yet,"  thought 
the  latter  as  she  jerked  the  reins,  "  but  it's  as  well 
perhaps  to  humor  him  ;  he's  afoot,  and  by  the 
time  we  reach  our  destination  will  be  more  tired 
than  we,  and  no  doubt  wants  to  get  early  to  bed." 
In  a  few  moments  the  good  wife  was  chatting 
again  quite  pleasantly,  and  Lydia  listening  with  all 
the  attention  of  one  who  had  never  seen  anything 
of  the  world.  They  passed  through  the  village  of 
Windsor,  bud.  did  not  stop,  although  it  would  have 
given  Prudence  and  the  girl  much  pleasure  to  have 
tarried  a  little,  and  conversed  with  the  people. 
After  they  had  gone  a  couple  of  miles  beyond  the 
settlement.  Mother  Garlic,  who  seemed  as  if  she 
would  never  tire  of  relating  anecdotes  of  her  earh' 
life,  found  her  discourse  suddenly  inteiTupted  by 
an  accident,  which  might  have  proved  serious,  but 
which  happily  only  caused  them  a  short  delay. 
They  had  come  to  a  spot  where  the  bank  was  very 
low,  and  where  the  river  had  overflowed  and  frozen 
upon  the   trail.     Christian    turned   and  cautioned 


CHARTER  OAK.  75 

Lydia  to  go  gently ;  but  it  was  too  late,  the 
horse  was  already  in  the  middle  of  the  danger, 
and  his  hind  legs  beginning  to  slip.  The  nurse 
screamed,  and  throwing  her  arms  around  the  girl's 
waL-it,  pulled  her  backward.  Lydia  implored  her 
to  let  go  ;  it  was  useless.  She  had  barely  time  to 
stretch  out  her  arms,  when  down  they  went.  In  an 
instant  the  Indian  was  by  their  side. 

*' Mercy  on  me!"  cried  the  goodwife,  rising  to 
her  feet,  "  I'll  never  get  on  that  horrid  pillion 
again." 

"  Let  us  thank  God,"  said  Lydia,  "  we  are  not 
hurt  ;  in  frosty  weather  bones  are  easily  broken. 
Poor  Jack,  good  Jack!"  and  she  began  stroking 
the  creature's  mane. 

"  The  brute  ought  to  be  whipped  for  his  clumsi- 
ness !"  exclaimed  the  dame. 

"No,  you  couldn't  help  it,  could  you?"  said 
Lydia,  still  caressing  the  faithful,  hard-working 
animal,  who  showed  not  the  least  disposition  to 
get  on  its  legs  again. 

Presently  the  Pequot  shrugged  his  shoulders 
and  informed  them  that  the  girth  was  broken. 
Here  now  was  a  predicament ;  it  would  be  idle 
to  ask  Prudence  to  ride  bareback,  and  if  she  per- 
formed the  rest  of  the  journey  afoot,  they  would 
necessarily  make  slow  progress.  But  she  no 
sooner  discovered  what  the  difficult v  was,  than  she 


76  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

declared  she  would  rather  walk  twice  the  distance 
than  go  a  hundred  paces  further  on  Jack.  Ijjdia, 
however,  did  not  object  to  mounting  without  a 
saddle.  Accordingly,  after  the  horse  had  been  led 
across  the  ice,  she  again  got  on  him,  and  with  the 
deerskin  bag  in  front,  went  off  as  gaily  as  thougii 
nothing  had  happened.  The  Indian  could  not  help 
smiling  at  such  perfect  composure,  and  as  he 
walked  along  with  the  saddle  over  his  shoulder, 
found  it  difficult  to  hide  his  contempt  for  Mother 
(larlic,  who  was  now  in  the  rear,  but  keep- 
ing as  close  as  possible  to  the  horse's  heels,  and 
muttering  to  herself :  "  I  do  believe  there's  a 
special  Providence  watching  over  the  child. 
Within  the  last  two  years  she's  fallen  in  the  river 
twice  and  got  lost  in  the  woods,  and  yet  has  al- 
ways escaped  unharmed." 

Soon  her  nervousness  returned,  and  every  min- 
ute or  two  she  would  glance  over  her  shoulder,  as 
if  she  feared  something  were  pursuing  them. 

"Be  there  many  bears  in  these  parts?"  she  ask- 
ed.    The  Pequot  did  not  answer. 

"  Yes,"  said  Lydia,  "  the  biggest  of  them,  how- 
ever, wouldn't  harm  you." 

"  Oh,  dear  !"  continued  Prudence,  "  I'd  not  trust 
one  of  'em  ;  and  they  can  climb  trees  too  !" 

Christian  now  placed  himself  behind  her,  which 
somewhat  revived  her  courage,  and  for  the  next 


CHARTER   OAK.  77 

three  or  four  miles  she  did  not  speak  a  word  about 
wild  beasts.  At  length  Lydia  noticed  Christian  in- 
tently gazing  at  some  object  beyond  the  river. 

"  What  see  you  ?"  she  asked. 

"  Wolf,"  the  lad  replied. 

Now  in  this  there  was  nothing  to  cause  alarm, 
for  scarce  a  day  passed  that  on(3  of  these  animals 
was  not  heard  howling  in  the  vicinity  of  the  cabin. 

"Can  we  not  go  faster?"  said  the  good  wife ; 
'*  it'll  be  dark  afore  I  see  Charity  Crabtree.  Dear 
me!  Lord  protect  us!"  and  once  more  she  gazed 
behind  her. 

"Four,  five,  six!"  counted  Christian. 

"  Seven,  eight,  nine  !  why,  how  many  there  are !" 
exclaimed  Lydia. 

Here  the  Indian  took  another  glance  at  the  sun, 
then  at  Mother  Garlic.  Before  they  had  advanced 
many  paces  further  the  number  of  wolves  had 
greatly  increased,  until  at  length  there  could  not 
have  been  less  than  a  hundred,  and  all  moving  to- 
wards the  river. 

"  Lord  have  mercy  on  us !"  ejaculated  the  good- 
wife,  who,  since  she  had  discovered  what  attracted 
the  attention  of  her  companions,  had  begun  pray- 
ing hard. 

"  Hush  !  no  noise,"  said  Christian  ;  "  that  makes 
'em  more  hungry," 


78  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

"But  I  must  pray  !"  slie  continued,  clasping  her 
hands;  "  and,  Ljdia  dear,  praj  too !" 

In  a  few  minutes  the  wolves  had  reached  the  op- 
posite bank  and  were  beginning  to  cross,  taking  a 
direction  which  would  bring  them  not  far  behind 
the  travellers. 

*'  Why  can't  we  go  faster  ?"  exclaimed  the  dame, 
trying  to  run. 

"  Hush  !''  said  Christian,  at  the  same  time  mak- 
ing a  sign  to  Lydia  to  urge  on  the  horse. 

When  the  leader  of  the  pack  was  half-way  across, 
it  raised  its  head,  sniffed  the  air,  and  sent  up  a 
savage  howl.  At  once  all  the  others  followed  its 
example,  and  the  noise  was  so  appalling  that  the 
goodwife  stuffed  her  fingers  in  her  ears. 

"  Only  three  miles  more,"  said  the  Pequot,  hop- 
ing to  revive  her  courage,  "  and  we  can  do  that  in 
an  hour." 

"In  less," exclaimed  Lydia,  "if  nurse  will  only 
get  up  behind  me."  But  the  dame  shook  her  head — 
it  had  been  hard  enough  to  ride  on  the  pillion  ; 
bare  back  was  out  of  the  question,  even  in  the  pre- 
sent crisis. 

"  We  might  tliink  those  were  deviJs  after  us," 
the  old  lady  cried.  "  A  herd  of  swine  was  once 
possessed;  why  not  these  critters  too?" 

And  certainly  the  unearthly  yeUs  were  enough  to 
make  one  believe  that  fiends  were  in  pursuit.     The 


CHARTEK   OAK.  79 

horse  was  now  inclined  to  break  into  a  trot,  for  he 
scented  danger,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that 
Ljdia  could  restrain  him.  Before  the  next  mile 
was  accomplished  the  sun  touched  the  horison — 
which  f{»r  a  moment  was  visible  through  a  narrow 
opening  in  tlic  f(Mest — and  all  three  instinctively 
turned  their  eves  tov.ards  it.  It  was  as  if  they 
were  taking  a  last  look  at  a  friend  about  to  leave 
them.  l)(iwn,  down,  went  the  sun ;  presently  it 
was  gone,  and  then  the  shadows  began  to  creep 
round  them  apace. 

"  The  demons  are  getting  closer,"  said  the  good- 
wife,  wringing  her  hands — -she  was  now  too  terri- 
fied to  gaze  behind  her.  About  a  minute  after  she 
had  spoken-  one  of  tlie  v/olves  made  its  appearance 
on  their  right ;  it  was  partly  concealed  by  a  fallen 
pine,  and  the  arrow  that  was  fired  at  it,  glanced- 
over  the  tree  and  then  plunged  harmlessly  into  the 
snow. 

"  What  had  we  best  do  ?"  inquired  Lydia, 
who  from  her  elevated  position  was  able  to  dis- 
tinguish more  approacliing. 

The  Pequot  did  not  answer ;  his  own  courage 
was  severel}^  tried.  At  length  he  halted  and  told 
them  they  must  climb  a  tree.  "  And  be  quick  !" 
he  added,  drawing  his  tomahawk.  Scarcely  had 
he  grasped  the  weapon,  when  the  horse  wheeled 
violently  round,  and  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  its 


80  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

brave  young  rider,  dashed  off  into  the  forest. 
Ljdia  seized  hold  of  the  mane,  and  with  her  body 
bent  as  low  as  possible  to  avoid  being  torn  from 
her  seat  by  the  branches,  was  in  another  moment 
racing  for  dear  life,  every  wolf  in  the  pack  after 
ber. 

Christian  waited  just  long  enough  to  see  the  old 
maid  safe  up  a  cedar,  then  heedless  of  his  own 
safety  he  hastened  in  the  direction  which  the  wild 
beasts  had  taken.  Their  howling  guided  his  steps, 
and  although  it  was  dark  he  made  fair  speed.  But 
as  the  sound  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  his  heart 
sank  within  him,  for  he  knew  there  was  very  little 
hope.  Indeed,  had  he  stopped  to  reflect,  he  would 
have  seen  how  useless  it  was  to  try  and  overtake 
the  pack;  and  if  he  did,  would  it  not  only  be  to  find 
the  girl  torn  in  pieces  ?  At  last,  when  he  was  about 
giving  up  the  chase  in  despair,  the  report  of  a  gun 
echoed  through  the  forest.  This  w^as  quickly  fol- 
lowed by  another,  then  there  was  a  deep  silence. 

"  She  is  saved !"  he  cried,  dashing  on  with  in- 
creased speed.  "  It's  a  special  Providence  !  Sl\e 
is  saved !"  After  advancing  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
further,  he  stopped  and  gave  a  loud  call,  w  Inch  was 
immediately  answered  by  some  one  not  a  great 
distance  off.  Another  hundred  yards  brought  him 
to  a  clearing  among  the  pines,  where  it  was  com- 
paratively light,  and  there  he  saw  a  man  kneeling 


CHARTER  OAK.  81 

over  a  form  which  he  felt  certain  was  Ljclia,  while 
another  stranger  stood  near,  holding  a  couple  of 
horses  by  the  bridle.  In  a  moment  Christian  was 
at  the  girl's  side,  and  great  was  his  joy  to  find  that 
she  was  not  only  alive,  but  judging  by  the  cheerful 
greeting  she  gave  him,  very  little  hurt.  Lydia's 
delight  at  seeing  him  again  can  scarcely  be  de- 
scribed, and  after  expressing  wonder  at  his  own 
escape  from  death,  she  inquired  after  the  goodwife. 
Then,  when  she  heard  he  had  pushed  her  up  a 
tree,  she  could  no  longer  restrain  herself,  and  burst 
into  such  a  hearty  laugh  that  even  the  stolid 
Pequot  was  unable  to  keep  a  grave  countenance. 
Presently,  turning  to  the  stranger  : 

"  I  pray  you  sir,"  she  said,  "  do  not  mind  my 
arm  ;  'tis  only  a  scratch.  My  sleeve  is  badly  torn, 
and  that  is  the  worst  part  of  the  accident." 

"  Tnie,  lady,"  he  replied,  "  the  wound  is  only 
skin  deep.  I  fear  more  for  your  head,  which, 
although  I  can  find  no  cut  upon  it,  must  neverthe- 
less have  received  a  great  jar.  Do  you  know  you 
were  flighty  for  several  minutes  after  you  were 
thrown  from  the  horse  ?" 

"  Indeed !  well  I  trust  I  spoke  no  nonsense ; 
now  let  me  rise,  I  think  I'm  able  to  stand."  With 
his  assistance  she  got  upon  her  feet,  then  told 
Christian  that  they  must  lose  no  time  in  rejoining 
Mother  Garlic. 


82  llOMANCE   OF   THE 

"Pd  give  a  trifle  to  know  her  name,"  said  the 
man  in  charge  of  th-e  horses,  and  who,  from  the 
silence  he  had  thus  far  preserved,  was  evidently  a 
servant,  "I'd  give  a  trifle  to  know  her  name" — 
these  words  were  spoken  in  a  whisper  to  Christian. 

"  I  never  knew  a  body  so  brave,"  he  continued, 
"  and  only  that  we  discharged  our  pieces  almost  in 
the  face  of  her  steed,  causing  liim  to  swerve,  I  do 
believe  she'd  have  been  on  his  back  yet.  Pray, 
who  is  she  ?" 

"  Lydia  Garlic,"  answered  the  youth  gruffly. 
No  sooner  did  the  other  stranger  hear  this  than  he 
started,  then  putting  bis  mouth  close  to  Lydia's 
ear : 

"  You  gave  me  another  name,"  he  whispered. 

"  Did  I  ?"  exclaimed  the  girl  with  a  shudder, 
then  lowering  her  voice,  "  God  forgive  me  !  Yes 
my  head  must  have  wandered,  oh  what  have  I 
done!" 

"  Well,  be  careful  how  you  repeat  it,"  he  con- 
tinued, still  speaking  in  a  whisper.  "  If  any  kin 
to  the  regicide,  whom  they  were  so  many  years 
trying  to  find,  and  who  was  once  thought  to  be 
concealed  in  Hartford,  keep  well  the  secret,  that 
is,  if  Goife  be  still  alive.  Rest  assured,  however, 
that  what  escaped  your  lips  in  an  unguarded 
moment,  shall  remain  as  deeply  hidden  in  my 
breast  as  if  you  had  never  spoken  it." 


CHARTER   OAK.  83 

For  a  little  wliile  Lydia  was  too  overcome  to 
utter  a  word.  And  well  inigiit  she  tremble  ;  already 
she  had  placed  the  safet}^  of  her  parent  in  the  keep- 
ing of  one,  about  whom  she  knew  absolutely 
nothing.  On  which  side  might  this  stranger  be? 
Perhaps  he  belonged  to  the  King's  party.  Wliile 
she  was  endeavoring  to  regain  her  self-possession, 
her  rescuer  turned  to  Christian  and  asked  how  far 
it  was  to  Hartford.  "We've  had  a  long  day's 
ride,"  he  said,  "  and  would  like  to  reach  the  town 
as  soon  as  possible." 

"  Three  or  four  miles,"  replied  the  Indian  ;  "we 
too  are  going  there." 

"Eight glad  am  I  to  hear  it," pursued  the  other; 
"  tiien  suppose  we  set  off  for  the  tree,  up  which  it 
seems  one  of  your  party  has  taken  refuge,  and  after 
that  journey  on  in  company. 

"  Yes,  and  let  us  make  haste,"  exclaimed  Lydia, 
"  or    Aunt    Garlic  will  die  of  fright." 

"  But  you  surely  cannot  pretend  to  walk,"  said 
the  stranger,  addressing  her,  "  we  must  make  a 
litter,  or  place  you  on  one  of  these  steeds ;  mine, 
although  sjDirited,  is  a  very  gentle  animal." 

"  Thanks,  sir ;  I  have  no  broken  bones,  only  a 
bruise  here,"  re^^hed  Lydia,  placing  her  hand  on 
her  forehead.     "  I  would  rather  go  afoot." 

"  Then   at  least    take    my  arm.     To   this    she 


84  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

agreed,  and  with  Christian  leading  the  way,  thej 
directed  their  course  towards  the  river. 

Lydia  would  fain  have  made  greater  speed,  but 
the  gallant  w^ho  had  taken  her  under  his  charge, 
was  so  afraid  Jest  she  might  be  scratched  by 
another  branch,  that  they  proceeded  at  what  might 
be  called  a  snail's  pace. 

"If  this  were  England,"  thought  Lydia,  "I 
might  take  him  for  one  of  those  courtiers  my 
father  has  so  often  told  me  about,  who  will  do  any- 
thing for  a  lady,  even  die  for  her.  Certainly  there 
is  a  fascination  in  such  manners ;  and  yet  we'd  get 
along  twice  as  fast  if  he'd  only  let  me  walk  by  my- 
seH." 

Soon  they  reached  the  cedar,  on  whose  stoutest 
limb  the  good  wife  had  been  perched  almost  an 
hour,  stiff  with  cold,  yet  praying  fervently.  When 
she  caught  sight  of  them  she  slid  down  the  tree 
with  the  agility  of  a  squirrel,  and  in  a  moment  was 
clasping  Lydia  in  her  arras,  squeezing  her  so 
tightly  that  the  girl  was  half  choked.  Leaving 
them  to  tell  each  other  what  had  happened  since 
they  separated.  Christian  set  about  looking  for  the 
bag  which  he  knew  must  have  fallen  off  Jack  be- 
fore he  had  taken  many  strides  from  the  river  bank. 
It  was  soon  found.  Then  placing  the  saddle  which 
he  had  been  carrying,  across  one  of  the  stranger's 
gteeds,  he  bade  Lydia  and  the  goodwife  follow  him. 


CHABTER  OAK.  85 

"  And  I'm  to  go  with  you,"  said  Lydia's  escort, 
again  offering  her  his  arm. 

"  Oh !  yes,  do !"  exclaimed  Prudence  ;  "  the 
wolves  ain't  so  far  off  but  what  they  may  come 
back.  I  hope  your  gun  is  loaded  ?  Go  in  front 
with  Christian."  To  this,  however,  he  demurred, 
and  much  to  her  chagrin  walked  on  beside  the 
girl.  The  nurse's  ears  were  wide  open,  wider,  per- 
haps, for  its  being  night,  which  hindered  her  from 
seeing  clearty  what  manner  of  man  he  was ;  and 
no  sooner  did  she  catch  the  fcAV  soft  words  which 
he  spoke  to  Lydia  than  she  placed  herself  on  the 
other  side  of  her  charge,  to  the  no  small  risk  of  her 
neck,  for  she  was  nearest  the  river  and  the  path  wap 
hardly  broad  enough  for  three  to  walk  abreast.  They 
proceeded  thus  a  short  distance  in  silence,  and  the 
dame  Avas  beginning  to  think  he  was,  after  all,  on\y 
some  honest  fellow  out  on  a  hunting  tour,  and 
whose  conversation,  if  he  had  any,  would  not  be 
disedifying,  when  she  was  suddenly  roused  by 
Christian  waving  his  hand,  and  crying,  "  There's 
Hartford !" 

Sure  enough,  straight  ahead,  a  mile  or  so  away, 
was  a  light — in  a  few  minutes  the  forest  came  to 
an  end,  and  they  could  distinguish  many  other 
lights  which  told  them  the  town  was  not  far  off. 

"  And  there's  the  moon,"  said  the  stranger,  gent- 
ly pressing  Lydia's  arm,  "  welcome,  moon  1" 


86  liOMANCE   OF   THE 

It  was  just  at  its  full,  and  as  it  rose  above  the 
hills  east  of  the  Couuecticut,  every  object  around 
became  almost  as  distinct  as  if  it  had  been  da)-. 
A  temptation  now  seized  Lydia  which  she  could 
not  resist,  and  looking  up,  she  stole  a  glance  at 
her  unknown  companion.  As  she  did  so,  their  eyes 
met.  There  w^as  on  his  face  an  expression  of  won- 
der and  delight.  During  their  progress  in  the 
dark,  he  had  pictured  her  to  himself  as  a  plain 
country  maid,  with  nothing  about  her  to  indicate 
that  she  was  above  the  class  who  devote  their  lives 
to  making  butter  and  cheese.  But  here  was  a  very 
different  being  from  what  he  had  imagined,  one  who 
might  indeed  be  the  daughter  of  Goffe  the  regi- 
cide, who  belonged  to  a  good  family  in  England. 
Never  had  he  beheld  a  countenance  so  full  of  sweet- 
ness as  the  one  now  turned  towards  him ;  at  the 
same  time,  there  was  something  in  it  more  than 
beauty  —  there  was  character,  greatness  of  soul. 
Her  manner,  perhaps,  lacked  diffidence — she  did 
not  hang  her  head,  nor  aj^pear  confused  as  he 
stared  at  her.  But  after  all  this  might  spring  from 
a  guileless  spirit.  No,  had  she  been  bashful  he 
would  not  have  liked  her  half  as  well. 

"Child!"  exclaimed  the  goodvvife,  seizing  her 
wrist  and  examining  the  cut  on  her  arm,  "  how  did 
this  happen  ?  Wliy  didn't  you  tell  me  about  it ;  ar^ 
you  much  hurt?" 


CHARTIiR   OAK.  87 

**  Oil,  no,"  replied  Lj^dia,  trjiiig  to  free  herself 
from  her  nurse's  grasp  ;  "  it's  only  a  scratch."  As 
she  spoke  her  eyes  were  still  fastened  on  the  stran- 
ger, who  had  filled  her  with  a  most  agreeable  sur- 
prise. He  was  no  common  hunter  of  wolves,  like 
Adams,  but  a  tall,  broad-shouldered  man  of  per- 
haps two  and  twenty,  with  a  profusion  of  dark 
hair,  quite  unlike  the  stiff,  short-cropped  locks  of 
the  former.  His  upper  lip  was  hidden  by  a  mus- 
tache, while  the  rest  of  his  face  was  smooth-shaven, 
which  increased  his  youthful  appearance,  and  he  had 
one  of  those  open,  genial  countenances  that  disarm 
suspicion,  and  make  friends  everywhere ;  at  the 
same  time  he  looked  as  if  he  had  a  strong  will,  and 
a  quick  temper.  While  she  was  studying  him 
she  felt  reassured  that  the  important  secret,  which 
had  so  unwittingly  escaped  her,  was  safe  in  his 
keei3ing. 

"  Who  can  he  be  ?"  she  thought,  turning  impa- 
tiently towards  the  good  wife,  who  still  held  her  by 
the  wrist.     The  dame  appeared  troubled. 

"  God  grant,"  she  was  muttering,  "  nothing  the 
dear  child  has  heard  me  tell  of  my  early  frolics 
lias  harmed  her  soul.  Her  trials  have  already  be- 
gun ;  Satan  doth  often  come  in  the  guise  of  a  hand- 
some youth." 

Presently  the  goodwife  fixed  he^*  eyes  on  Lydia's 
escort  with  a  searching  look.     "Whoever  he  is," 


88  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

she  continued,  "  one  thing  I'm  sure  of, .  he's  not 
much  given  to  exhortation — nor  is  he  innocent  of 
the  world.     Ah!  Lydia,  Lydia,  beware !" 

In  the  meanwhile  they  were  rapidly  approaching 
the  settlement,  and  in  half  an  hour  reached  the 
first  house.  Here  the  stranger  halted,  at  the 
same  time  Lydia  withdrew  her  arm  from  his. 

"  Fair  lady,"  he  said,  doffing  his  hat,  "  there  are 
in  the  course  of  our  lives  days  which  we  never  for- 
get ;  for  me  this  will  be  one  of  those  days."  Then, 
before  she  could  prevent  it,  he  had  seized  her 
hand  and  was  pressing  it  to  his  lips. 

Prudence  was  too  thunderstruck  to  utter  a  word  ; 
Lydia,  however,  retained  her  presence  of  mind  ad- 
mirably, and  instead  of  screaming  or  running 
away,  as  her  nurse  fully  expected,  she  let  him  hold 
her  hand  as  long  as  he  pleased,  and  there  was 
even  a  roguish  smile  on  her  face. 

•'  What  honey  is  to  the  Bee 
This  is  to  me," 

he  exclaimed,  releasing  her,  and  at  the  same  time 
making  a  low  obeisance. 

"  Alas !  that  we  must  separate ;  but  all  things 
have  an  end.     Fair  lady,  adieu !" 

"  And  our  saddle,"  said  Christian,  "  do  not  carry 
that  oftV  The  stranger  laughed,  and  declared  he 
had  quite  forgotten  it  was  upon  his  horse. 

"  If  you  wish,"  said  he,    "  I'll  leave  it   at   the 


CHARTER    OAK.  89 

house  where  you're  goiug  to,  if  you'll  tell  me  %\liich 
that,  is." 

The  Indian,  however,  preferred  taking  the  sad- 
dle himself,  for  he  knew  they  could  not  be  far 
from  Charity  Crabtree's.  Accordingly,  the  servant 
gave  it  to  him,  then  obeying  a  signal  from  his 
master,  followed  the  latter  rapidly  down  the  single 
street,  which  at  that  time  constituted  the  town  of 
Hartford. 

"  Let  us  also  make  haste,"  said  Christian ; 
we've  been  long  enough  going  thirty  miles." 

"  Yes,  nurse,  don't  stand  gazing  at  the  moon," 
added  Lydia,  gently  pulling  the  dame's  frock. 
"  What  has  disturbed  you  ?" 

"  Our  bodies,"  repUed  the  goodwife,  allowing 
herself  to  be  drawn  along,  "  have  been  sorely  tried 
to-day,  but  our  souls  have  been  tried  more  severely 
still ;  I  am  convinced  the  forest  we  have  passed 
through  is  the  haunt  of  demons." 

"  Well,  I  have  often  heard  unaccountable  noises 
when  I  was  out  gathering  wild  flowers,  or  search- 
ing for  bird's  nests,  and  think  what  you  say  not 
improbable ;  but  since  leaving  home,  I'm  sure 
we've  met  no  devils." 

At  this  the  dame  turned  towards  Lydia  with  a 
mournful  shake  of  the  head,  but  did  not  reply. 

After  going  a  few  steps  further  the  girl  requested 
Christian  to  let  her  have  her  cloak  out  o^"  the  bag. 


90  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

"  Aye,"  said  Prudence,  "  the  night  air  is  keen — 
v:onder  I  didn't  make  jou  put  it  on  as  soon  as  I 
noticed  your  bare  arm.  That  scratch  may  grow 
dangerous  if  frost  gets  into  it.  Alas  !  'twas  not 
your  flesh  so  much  as  your  spirit  I  was  w^orried 
about." 

The  lad  at  once  untied  the  bag  and  handed  her 
a  scarlet  cloak,  one  of  the  many  presents  which 
Adams  had  made  her. 

"  This  is  very  becoming  to  you,"  pursued  thfc 
goodwife  ;  "  but,  child,  beware  of  vanity.  Let  not 
strangers  make  jour  acquaintance  too  easily.  A 
kiss  is  often  the  first  step  to  damnation."  Then, 
after  a  pause :  "  Child,"  she  continued,  "  do  not; 
forget  your  assumed  name.  As  you  remarked 
yourself,  a  short  time  ago,  when  Ave  first  discussed 
the  matter,  and  when  I  admit  I  had  scruples  about 
it.  vour  parent's  life  depends  on  your  keeping 
secret  v/ho  you  really  are.  These  are  troublous 
dajs ;  the  spies  of  the  King  may  not  have  given 
up  all  hope  of  finding  him  ;  and  should  any  shrewd, 
ill  dispos:!d  person  discover  you  were  the  regicide's 
daughter,  that  slight  clue  might  be  enough,  and 
'twould  not  be  long  before  he  would  be  dragged 
from  his  hiding-23lace." 

Lydia  shuddered.  "  God  knows,"  she  said  to 
herself,  "  what  may  happen  !  God  knows !  But. 
no,  ho  did  not  look  as  if  he  could  betray  me." 


CHARTER   OAK.  91 

Presently  the  lodiaii  asked  if  a  certain  liouso 
standing  a  little  back  from  the  street  on  their  left, 
was  not  Miss  Crabtree's. 

"Y(js,"  replied  the  dame,  "my  friend  says  in 
her  letter  that  there's  half  an  acre  'tween  it  and  the 
road,  and  that  there's  a  tall  tree  close  by,  so  that 
must  be  it." 

The  dwelling  towards  which  they  now  directed 
their  steps  was  two  stories  high,  with  a  garret,  the 
second  story  projecting  about  a  foot  beyond  the 
lower ;  while  it  had  five  dormer  windows,  and  a 
peaked  roof,  which  sloped  down  in  the  rear  until  it 
almost  touched  the  ground.  Along  the  south  side 
of  the  house  ran  an  immense  stone  chimney,  which 
at  this  moment  was  belching  forth  into  the  clear 
night  air  a  dense  volume  of  smoke,  while  on  the 
north  side,  and  so  close  that  it  almost  touched  the 
building,  stood  a  walnut  tree,  its  topmost  limbs 
stretching  far  over  the  roof. 

"  What  a  snug  home  this  must  be,"  thought 
Lydia,  as  they  stopped  in  front  of  the  door.  Chris- 
tian's knock  did  not  have  to  be  repeated  ;  in  a  mo- 
ment it  opened,  and  a  tall,  gaunt  female,  her  head 
crowned  by  a  gigantic  top-knot,  and  with  a  nose 
and  chin  projecting  so  far  towards  each  other  that 
they  nearly  met,  appeared  on  the  threshold.  Pru- 
dence- did  not  immediately  recognize  her  friend; 


92  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

but  this  was  not  strange,  when  we  remember  how 
many  years  had  passed  since  they  had  separated. 

"  Be  you  Charity  Crabtree  ?"  she  inquired,  speak- 
ing slowly  and  with  a  tone  of  sadness. 

"  I  be,  and  who  on  earth  are  you  ?  but  afore  you 
answer  come  inside,  it's  a  sliarjp  night  and  you're 
shivering." 

The  travellers  obeyed,  and  presently  found  them- 
selves in  a  kind  of  passage  way  leading  into  the 
main  room.  The  Pequot  now  threw  down  his  load 
and  gave  a  sigh  of  relief,  Avhile  Miss  Crabtreo 
In'ought  the  lamp  she  was  holding,  so  close  to  the 
good  wife's  face  that  she  almost  scorched  her  eye- 
lashes, then  began  narrowly  scrutinizing  her.  "  As 
I  live,"  she  exclaimed,  "  as  I  live,  if  you  ain't  my 
schoolmate.  Prudence  Garlic ! — the  companion  of 
all  my  youthful  frolics ;  but  how  you  have 
changed !"  Here  her  voice  faltered,  and  the  eyes  of 
both  filled  with  tears.  "  Aye  !"  she  continued,  "  1 
ought  to  have  been  on  the  look-out  for  you  ;  when 
Mad  Adams  says  he'll  do  a  thing,  he  keeps  his  word. 
No  doubt  he  guided  you  here."  Then  without  ask- 
ing another  question  she  set  her  light  on  the  floor, 
and  gave  her  friend  such  a  hearty  embrace  that  the 
latter  was  convinced  she  ]oved  her  as  much  as  ever. 
After  this  demonstration,  Miss  Crabtree  opened  a 
second  door,  and  conducted  them  into  the  pripcipal 
apartment  of  the  house,  which  occupied  almost  the 


CHARTER   OAK.  9B 

wliole  of  tlie  first  story,  and  for  comfort  surpassetl 
anything  Ijydia  bad  ever  dreamt  of.  Here  she 
made  them  sit  down  on  a  bench  close  to  a  roaring 
fire,  the  back  log  of  which  was  full  six  feet  long, 
and  whose  glow  lit  up  even  the  spider's  web  in  the 
furthest  corner,  and  rendered  superfluous  either 
lamp  or  candle.  Having  warmed  her  hands  a  mo- 
ment. Prudence  entered  into  conversation  with  her 
friend,  who,  like  herself,  had  never  married  ;  but 
they  spoke  in  undertones,  so  that  neither  the  Pe- 
quot  nor  Lydia  could  distinctly  make  out  what  thej 
said.  At  length,  after  Miss  Crabtree  had  given 
her  whole  history  as  well  as  she  could  recollect  it 
for  the  past  twenty  years,  she  stopped  and  waited 
for  the  goodwife  to  begin  hers.  But  the  latter 
shook  her  head. 

"  No,"  she  whispered,  "  Do  not  ask  me  for  mine ; 
it  must  remain  a  secret ;  but  upon  my  honor  it 
shall  be  the  only  one  I  will  ever  keep  from  you.'* 

Charity  looked  surprised,  then  with  a  frown  said, 

"It's  real  unkind,  after  I'v^e  told  you  everything 
about  myself  ;  I  hate  mysteries.  Pray  who  is  this 
girl  you  have  brought  with  you." 

"  My  niece  Lydia,  smart  and  God-fearing,  and 
the  longer  you  know  her  the  better  you'll  like  her ; 
isn't  she  handsome !" 

Miss  Crabtree  shrugged  her  shoulders  and  re  - 
mained  a  minute  or  two  with  her  eyes  fastened  on 


94  ] ROMANCE   OF   THE 

the  girl.  Gradually  the  frown  passed  from  hei 
face,  and  she  said  to  herself : 

"  Just  what  mj  nephew  ought  to  have  to  make 
him  happy."  Then  again  addressing  Prudence, 
"And  you  say  she's  smart  ?" 

"  Ha !  she  knows  a  deal  more  than  I  do.  Hei 
father  has  taught  her  everything,  and  she  can  con- 
verse about  countries  that  lie  ever  so  far  on  t'other 
side  of  the  world.  She  has,  I  confess,  an  odd  notion 
that  afore  long  these  Colonies  will  free  themselves 
from  England  and  become  a  great,  independent 
Eepublic — and  on  this  she  and  her  father  disagree. 
But  you  musn't  mind  her  ;  'tw^as  Adams,  no  doubt, 
put  it  into  her  head." 

"Good,  good!"  said  Charity,  rubbing  her 
shrivelled  hands ;  "  your  niece  and  my  nephew 
Joe  are  of  one  mind.  I  do  wish  he  were  here  ; 
can't  think  what  keeps  him  out  so  late.  True, 
there's  been  a  town-meeting,  but  that's  over  these 
four  hours. 

"  1  hope  he  will  like  my  niece,"  whispered  Mother 
Garlic. 

"  But  her  tresses  must  be  first  cut  ofi',"  pursued 
Charity,  raising  her  voice ;  "  they're  very  pretty, 
but  they're  not  approved  by  the  church.  More- 
over, Increase  Mather  is  expected  afore  a  greax 
while,  and  I  want  him  to  form  a  good  opinion 
of  the  girl,  a  thing  he'd  certaiul}'  not  do  if  she  wore 


CHARTER   OAK.  95 

ringlets.  And  bless  me,  if  slie  l^aHii't  got  short. 
sleeves !  Wor=ie  and  worse  ! "  While  she  was  speak- 
ing, the  regicide's  daughter  lial  withdrawn  her 
wounded  arm  a  moment  from  b< -i  'atli  tlie  cloak 
and  was  examining  it. 

"  Pardon,  said  the  good  wife,  "  'twas  an  accident 
tore  that  sleeve  off.  I  haven't  told  you  yet  what 
happened  on  our  journey  hither." 

"No,  do,  tell !  First,  however,  let  me  look  ai 
the  girl's  arm  ;  there's  blood,  upon  it."  But  Lydia, 
who  had  overheard  the  last  few  words,  drew  her 
cloak  over  it  again  with  an  offended  air. 

"Peevish  after  her  tiresome  ride,"  said  Miss 
Crabtree  ;"  supper  will  be  ready  presently,  and 
that  will  put  her  in  a  better  humor.  Do  begin 
now,  and  tell  your  adventure." 

Accordingly,  Prudence  cleared  her  throat  and 
narrated  how  they  had  been  attacked  by  wolves 
— how  she  herself  had  been  obliged  to  climb  a  tree 
for  safety,  while  her  niece's  horse,  terrified  by  the 
savage  beasts,  had  dashed  off  into  the  forest,  carry- 
ing the  girl  wdth  him'.  She  likewise  gave  full 
credit  to  the  Pequot  for  having  so  bravely  rushed 
after  Lydia.  Finally,  she  told  how^  her  niece  had 
been  rescued  by  a  couple  of  strangers  just  as  the 
pack  were  closing  round  her  ;  then  dropping  her 
voice,  she  proceeded  to  relate  how  the  ghl  had  per^ 
mitted  one  of  her  deliverers — a  handsome  young 


96  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

man — to  entwine  her  arm  inhis,  andliovvthey  had 
thus  walked  on  together  as  far  as  the  entrance  to 
the  town,  "  where,"  continued  the  goodwife,  "  he 
made  so  free  as  actually  to  kiss  her  hand."  At 
this  revelation  Miss  Crabtree's  brow  contracted. 

"  'Twas  a  bold,  presuming  act,"  continued  the 
speaker. 

"Verily  it  was,"  exclaimed  her  friend.  "Al- 
though I  did  not  always  think  so,  I  believe  now  a 
kiss  is  often  the  devil's  entering  wedge." 

"  Well,  Charity  dear,  I  am  happy  to  say  she's 
well  grounded  in  religion,  and  this  first  attack  of 
Satan  may  prove  harmless.  We  were  both  em- 
braced more  than  once  at  her  age.  How  rosy 
cheeks  do  draw  the  men  folks'  lips  !" 

"True,  and  yet  we  still  kept  on  the  way  of 
righteousness,  didn't  we  ?  Let  us  hope  'twill  be  so 
in  her  case." 

While  they  were  thus  conversing,  Lydia  amused 
LerseK  examining  the  room,  in  which  she  found  a 
great  deal  to  interest  her.  What  she  most  admired 
was  its  size,  which  appeared  ample  enough  to  con- 
tain the  whole  of  her  own  little  cabin.  The  win- 
dows were  at  least  three  feet  high  by  two  wide, 
and  opened  with  hinges,  while  the  glass  was  set 
in  lead  lines  and  diamond-shaped.  Then,  there 
was  the  spacious  chimney  with  its  enormous  back 
log,  which  had  been  worked  into  its    place  with 


CHAilTER    OAK.  97 

handspikes.  In  fact,  so  deep  Avas  the  fireplace 
that  a  couple  of  benches  were  fastened  to  the 
jambs,  and  behind  the  log  there  was  space  enough 
for  pussy  to  lie  without  danger  of  scorching.  In 
each  corner  of  the  chimney  hung  a  flitch  of  bacon 
while  along  the  joists  overhead  were  strings  of 
dried  apples,  pumpkins,  bunches  of  catnip  and  the 
largest  ears  of  corn,  which  were  being  kept  for 
next  season's  planting.  Pasted  on  the  wall  aboA^e 
the  fireplace,  so  that  while  you  warmed  yourself 
you  could  not  help  noticing  it,  Avas  a  broad  sheet 
of  paper,  dingy  and  fly-blown,  yet  in  a  tolerable 
state  of  preserA'ation,  considering  the  length  of 
time  it  had  been  there,  on  which  were  Avritten  King 
Charles'  tweh^e  good  rules  : 

' '  Pkofane  no  Divine  OiiDinance, 
Touch  no  State  Mattei:s. 
Ubge  no  Healths. 
Pick  no  Quakkels. 

EXCOUEAGE  NO  ViCE. 

Repeat  no  Gmevances. 

liEVEAL  NO  SeCKETS. 

Maintain  no  III  Opinion. 
Makk  no  Comparisons. 
Keep  i.o  Bad  Company. 
Make  no  Long  Meals. 
Lay  no  Wagees." 

JustasLydia  hadfinisliedrejuling  them  the  serA^ant 
announced  that  supper  Avas  ready,  and  her  appe- 
tite being  keen,  she  did  not  lose  a  moment  taking 
her  place  at  the  table.     This  piece  of  furniture,  by 


98  KOMANCE    OF   THE 

the  way,  was  the  oddest  thing  in  the  whole  house. 
It  served  a  double  purpose.  When  the  girl  had  first 
entered,  she  had  beheld  it  iu  the  form  of  a  large. 
round-backed  chair;  but  now  the  back,  which  mov- 
ed on  hinges,  was  turned  over  and  the  chair  altered 
into  a  table. 

"Begin,  child,"  said  Mother  Garhc,  placing  a 
whole  griddle  of  Indian  cakes  upon  her  plate ;  "  be- 
gin, you've  fasted  and  suffered  much  to-day,  and 
need  refreshment." 

Lydia  threw  off  her  cloak,  and  after  saying  a 
short  grace,  began  the  meal,  while  Miss  Crab  tree 
stood  behind  her  a  moment,  gazing  at  her  bare 
arm,  then  turning  to  her  friend : 

"  You're  right,"  she  whispered,  "  I  can  tell  by  its 
whiteness  that  she's  been  used  to  wearing  long 
sleeves." 

During  the  next  quarter  of  an  hour,  griddle  after 
gi'iddle  passed  from  the  hearth  to  the  table,  and 
two  pitchers  of  milk,  half  a  jar  of  grape  sweet- 
meats, a  cold  pumpkin  pie,  and  a  loaf  of  bread  dis- 
appeared, before  their  appetites  were  appeased. 
They  then  resumed  their  places  on  the  bench  in 
front  of  the  fire,  and  Charity  again  expressed  her 
wonder  that  her  nephew  (whose  name,  by  the  way, 
was  Joseph  Wadsworth,)  did  not  come  home. 

"  He  never  stays  long  at  the  tavern,"  she  said ; 
**  I  can't  think  what  keeps  him  out  so  Into      I  know 


CHARTER   OAK.  99 

you'll  like  him,"  here  she  turned  to  Prudence, 
"  he's  so  God-fearing,  so  kind  to  nie,  his  poor  old 
aunt.  I've  been  keeping  house  for  him  now  seven 
years,  and  during  all  that  time  not  a  cross  word 
has  passed  between  us." 

"  And  you  say  he  holds  the  same  opinion  as  my 
niece,  in  regard  to  the  future  of  the  colonies  ?"  re- 
marked Goody  Garlic,  anxious  that  Lydia  should 
be  favorably  disposed  towards  the  man  under 
whose  roof  she  was  going  to  sojourn. 

"  Yes,  'tis  on  his  mind  day  and  night,  in  fact  — " 
here  she  brought  her  mouth  close  to  her  friend's 
ear — "  'tis  doing  him  harm  ;  he's  not  as  cheerful 
and  fond  of  society  as  I  could  wish." 

Lydia  who  was  now  in  better  mood  than  before 
supper,  drew  close  to  Miss  Crabtree  and  began 
listening  attentively  to  every  word  which  dropped 
from  her  lips. 

"  Kind  and  God-fearing,"  she  said,  repeating  to 
herself  the  old  aunt's  words,  *'  and  a  patriot !" 

At  this  moment  a  gust  of  wind  made  the. 
outer  doorshake,  and  as  the  girl  heard  it  li-er  heart 
throbbed,  for  she  fancied  it  might  be  the  nephew 
entering.  She  longed  to  lay  eyes  on  him,  especially 
since  she  had  learnt  that  his  faith  in  the  future  of 
their  native  land  was  the  same  as  her  own.  She 
hoped  too  that  he  might  prove  to  be  the  captivating 
stranger  wlioni  she  had  met  in  the  forest  ;  and  yet 


100  KOMANCE  OF  THE 

tins  was  scarcely  probable,  as  the  latter  had  asked 
Christian  how  far  it  was  to  Hartford,  and  an  in- 
habitant of  the  town  would  hardly  haye  been  so  i.;^- 
norant  of  his  whereabouts.  Another  hour  passed, 
still  Wadsworth  did  not  arrive,  and  Prudence  and 
Charity  continued  their  conversation  in  a  voice  al- 
ways loud  enough  for  the  girl  to  hear,  and  she  was 
able  to  learn  a  great  deal  concerning  the  master  of 
the  house.  At  length,  out  of  one  of  the  corners  of 
the  room  came  the  sound  of  a  person  snoring,  and 
turning  round,  Ljdia  saw  the  Pequot  curled  u]>  on 
the  floor  like  a  hedge  hog,  fast  asleep.  Goody 
Garlic  also  gazed  over  her  shoulder  and  smilod, 
then  gave  a  yawn. 

"Aye,"  exclaimed  Miss  Crabtree,  "I  shouldn't 
have  kept  you  uj)  so  late,  'tis  ten  o'clock  and  past." 

Then  looking  to  see  what  had  become  of  the  ser- 
vant rnaid,  she  spied  that  hard-working  creature 
ensconsed  in  the  quaint  piece  of  furniture,  which 
had  once  more  assumed  its  chair  form.  Like 
Christian  the  drudge  was  sound  asleep.  But  one 
good  pinch  on  her  fat  arm  made  her  open  her  eyes 
and  cr}^  "  Oh !"  then  emphasizing  her  words  with 
a  stamp  of  the  foot,  and  a  second  pinch.  Miss 
Crabtree  bade  her  rise  and  show  the  Indian  the 
wa.y  to  the  gajTct.  Not  many  minutes  after,  Pru- 
dence and  Lydia  were  f(^llowing  Miss  Cralitret^  up 
the  staircase,  the  latter  accompanied  by  an  enor 


CHARTER    OAK.  101 

inous  cat,  wliicli  had  abandoned  its  snug  qnai'ter« 
beliiiid  the  back  log,  rather  than  let  its  mistress 
go  out  of  sight  for  ever  so  short  a  time. 

"I  myself,"  remarked  Charity,  "shall  preseiiily 
go  below  again  and  await  my  nephew ;  no  rest 
for  me  until  he  comes.  I'h  keep  a  good  fire  burn- 
ing, and  as  the  chimney  passes  through  your  room 
the  heat  from  it  wdll  take  the  edge  of!  the  frost." 

On  reaching  the  second  story  they  turned  to  the 
left  and  entered  a  spacious  chamber,  into  which 
the  moonbeams  were  streaming.  Part  of  the  fur- 
niture consisted  of  an  oaken  chest,  which  their 
hostess  informed  them  had  been  brought  over  from 
England  by  the  first  of  the  Wadsworth  family  who 
Lad  emigrated. 

"  And  I  once  heard  my  brother-in-law  saj,"  she 
added,  "  that  liis  father  told  him  it  was  a  century 
old  then." 

Close  by  the  chest  was  a  chair  whose  sides  and 
back  were  full  three  inches  thick,  and  which  looked 
as  if  it  Vv'as  intended  to  last  forev(>r. 

"I  never  like  to  sit  in  tliat  chair,"  continued 
Miss  Crabtree  ;  "  but  perhaps  I'm  foolish." 

"  AVhy,  is  it  broken  or  what  ?"  asked  Pnidence. 

"  Broken  !  not  in  the  least ;  you.  couldn't  crack 
it  if  you  let  it  drop  from  the  top  of  the  house. 
But  you  must  know,  so  many  have  died  in  it. 
There's  my  nephew's  father,   and  his  grandfather, 


102  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

and  although  I  never  heard  tell,  yet  I  wouldn't 
wonder  if  his  great-grandfather  had  breathed  his 
last  in  it  too.  It  runs  in  the  family  to  go  off 
unexpected,  and  they  were  looking  as  strong  as 
you  or  I  a  minute  afore." 

When  Lydia  heard  this  she  felt  inclined  to  ask 
the  old  maid  to  hush,  and  not  talk  of  such  awful 
things  at  that  hour,  but  Charity's  stern  expression 
made  her  hesitate,  and  so  she  said  nothing. 

Next  to  the  wall,  and  with  the  chimney  running 
between,  were  a  couj^le  of  feather  beds,  with  a 
rusty  horse  shoe  dangling  at  the  head  of  each. 

"Those,"  pursued  Charity,  lowering  her  voice  to 
a  whisj)er,  "  are  meant  to  keep  off  witches,  so  let 
'em  be." 

The  old  maid  next  called  their  attention  to  a 
row  of  jyegs  along  the  whitewashed  walJ,  on  which 
they  might  hang  their  gowns,  and  also  showed  them 
a  Bible  lying  on  a  table  in  the  middle  of  the  room. 

Then  before  bidding  them  good  nigLt,  she  went 
out  a  moment  and  returned,  carrying  a  pair  of 
shoes  with  very  peaked  toes,  which  was  the  fashion 
at  that  period,  and  had  been  ever  since  Uenry 
Plantagenet,  Duke  of  Anjou,  had  worn  them  thus 
in  order  to  conceal  an  excrescence  on  one  of  his 

feet. 

"You  mustn't  use  moccasins  any  more,"  she 
said,  addressing   Lydia ;     "  to-morrow,   put  these 


CHARTER   OAK.  103 

on— they  may  be  a  mite  too  big,  but  I  guess  you'll 
manage  to  keep  'em  from  slipping  off." 

Tlie  girl  frowned  an  instant,  but  wisely  con 
eluding  that  she  had  better  not  quarrel  with  the 
old  maid  for  such  a  trifle,  promised  to  do  as  she 
was  bid.  Miss  Crab  tree  now  wished  them  both 
pleasant  dreams,  and  closing  the  door  withdrew  to 
the  apartment  below,  v/here  let  us  leave  her  seated 
in  front  of  the  fire,  listening  to  the  wind  howling 
and  beating  against  the  windows  as  if  it  were  try- 
ing to  force  a  way  in.  The  noise  of  the  blast,  how- 
ever, did  not  shake  her  nerves ;  she  was  only 
anxious  about  Wadsworth,  and  with  a  jug  of  cider, 
and  a  plate  of  walnuts  at  her  elbow,  she  whiled 
away  the  hours  pleasantly  enough,  wondering  what 
on  earth  could  keep  her  nephew  out  so  late.  It 
was  nearly  midnight,  and  he  had  never  done  this 
bfifora 


CHAPTER   lY. 

Next  morning,  Ljdia  was  awakened  by  the  ring- 
ing of  a  bell  in  the  street.  The  sound  seemed  to 
pass  the  house  twice  ;  and  between  the  first  and 
the  second  time,  she  heard  Miss  Crabtree's  foot- 
steps descending  the  staircase.  Goody  Garlic, 
however,  continued  to  snore ;  and  as  the  dim  light 


104  EOilANCE   OF   THE 

whicli  ci-ei)t  in  tlirougli  the  dorinor  window  showed 
that  day  was  only  just  brealdug,  Lydia  did  not 
wake  her,  and  having  no  household  duties  to  per- 
form, determined  to  remain  a  while  longer  herself 
in  her  comfortable  bed.  Presently  her  thoughts 
flew  to  her  home  in  the  forest,  and  she  prayed  God 
to  keep  her  father  safe  during  her  absence.  Fond 
as  she  was  of  poor  Jack,  she  almost  wished  he 
might  not  have  succeeded  in  escaping  from  the 
wolves,  for  if  the  old  gentleman  were  to  see  the  nag 
arrive  alone  and  without  a  saddle,  it  would  give  him 
a  shock  from  whicli  he  might  never  recover.  Soon, 
a  loud  roaring  in  the  chimney  warned  her  that  the 
lire  was  lit,  and  after  listening  to  it  a<  few  ujinutes 
she  got  u]),  unable  to  bear  the  idea  of  others  being 
at  work,  and  hersLlf  doing  nothing.  While  she  was 
putting  on  her  gown,  Prudence  opened  her  eyes, 
and  Avitli  a  3'awn,  exclaimed  : 

"  We're  guests,  child,  and  can  take  things  easy ; 
pray  lie  still  .until  you're  called." 

This  remonstrance  proved  of  no  avail ;  Lydia 
was  too  thoroughly  aroused  to  think  of  getting  into 
bed  again,  and  the  chilly  atmosphere  of  the  room 
only  hastened  her  movements.  When  she  ap- 
peared below,  her  hostess  greeted  her  with  a 
warmth  which  idmost  took  the  breath  away  h'om 
the  servant  nudd,  who  had  always  associated  her 
mistress  with  frowns  and  pinches,  and  the  drudge 


CHARTER   OAK.  105 

could  scarcely  believe  her  eyes.  The  smile  of 
Charity  Crabtree  was  a  thing  not  soon  to  be  for- 
g-otten.  AVitli  Ljdia's  right  liand  grasped  in  both  of 
lu^rs,  the  danio's  nose  and  chin  for  a  moment  parted 
c<)m]>any — tlii>  hi-nad  monl  h  <)]')0!ied  wider  and  wider, 
until  you  s  iw  n :)ihing  hut  a  set  of  jagged  teeth 
while  hvv  LO],-]:n(>t.  moved  backwards  and  forwards, 
as  it  it  VN-ere  trying  to  s.iy,  "  How  d'ye  do."  What 
especially  pleased  tlie  old  maid,  Avas  to  find  the  girl 
in  long  sleeves,  for  Lydia  had  put  on  another  dress, 
and  accordingly  she  dismissed  to  a  future  occasion, 
the  lecture  which  she  had  intended  giving,  on  the 
sinfuliiess  of  wearing  curls.  Perhaps,  if  Cha- 
rity's heart  could  have  been  laid  bare  to  mortal 
eye,  it  would  have  been  discovered,  that  her  horror 
of  long  hair  was  pretty  evenly  balanced,  in  Lydia's 
case,  by  a  desire  that  her  nephew  should  see  his 
young  guest  before  she  was  deprived  of  these  orna- 
ments. 

"  Y'  s,"  she  said  to  herself,  "they  may  be  sinful 
yet  ihey  do  increase  her  charms.  If  she's  on.; 
half  what  Prudence  makes  her  out  to  be,  Joe  mubi 
marry  her ;  she's  exactly  what  he  needs  to  make 
him  happy."  Then  patting  the  girl's  shoulder,  she 
inquired  if  she  had  passed  a  pleasant  night,  adding 
that  it  had  been  the  coldest  of  the  season,  and  that 
five  of  her  chickens  had  fi'ozen  to  death  on  the 
roost. 


106  BOMANCE   OF  THE 

"  Oh,  liow  could  I  have  been  otherwise  than 
comfortable,"  returned  Lydia,  "  buried  so  deep  in 
feathers.  I  doubt  if  I'd  have  oj)ened  my  eyes  near 
as  soon  as  I  did,  if  a  bell  in  the  street  hadn't  roused 
me." 

"  Humph !  I'm  sorry  you  were  disturbed,  Miss ; 
and  yet  I  think  you'll  agree,  that  the  law  which  was 
passed  at  town  meeting,  some  years  ago,  and  which 
ordaineth  that  every  morning,  about  daybreak,  the 
w^atch  shall  ring  a  bell  all  the  way  from  Wyllys' 
Hill  to  the  other  end  of  the  town,  was  a  good  one." 

Lydia  smiled,  then  asked  how  many  obeyed  the 
law. 

"  How  many  ?  well,  a  quarter  of  au  hour  after 
you  hear  it,  there's  not  a  dwelUng  in  Hartford 
but  what  has  a  light  burning.  If  not,  then  one 
shilling  and  sixpence  forfeit  to  him  who  finds  out 
the  lazy  body,  and  sixpence  to  the  town." 

Lydia  having  now  sufficiently  warmed  her  hands 
at  the  fire,  offered  to  assist  in  the  household  duties. 
But  Miss  Crabtree,  while  gratified  by  such  evidence 
of  an  industrious  spirit,  shook  her  head  and  bade 
her  go  sit  on  one  of  the  benches  in  the  chimney, 
adding  that  her  visit  was  to  be  a  complete  holiday. 
Accordingly  Lydia  withdrew  to  the  cozy  nook,  to- 
wards which  the  dame's  finger  was  pointing,  and 
resting  ]ier  feet  on  the  end  of  the  back  log,  peered 
into  the  sooty  cavern  over  her  head.      Presently 


CHARTER   OAK.  107 

she  uttered  an  exclamation  of  wonder.  Deep  in 
the  chimney  appeared  a  bright  object,  which  at 
first,  she  thought  was  a  spark  ;  but  it  did  not  move, 
what  could  it  be  ? 

"  A  chimney  like  this,"  thought  Lydia,  "is  the 
very  place  for  a  witch  to  hide  in ;  might  not  that 
be  her  eye  winking  at  me  ?" 

"  My  nephew,"  said  Charity,  just  as  a  puff  of 
smoke  hid  the  bright  object  from  Adew,  "  is  exceed- 
ingly fond  of  sitting  where  you  are  ;  and  often  he'll 
not  open  his  lips  the  whole  evening,  but  keep  gaz- 
ing at  the  stars,  then  at  the  burning  coals,  thinking 
dear  knows  of  Avhat — a  strange,  strange  man  !  yet 
he's  more  than  good,  he's  perfection  itself." 

Lydia  laughed  a  moment  at  her  folly  in  having 
mistaken  a  star  for  a  witch's  eye,  then  asked  at 
what  hour  Mr.  WadsAVorth  had  come  home. 

"Past  midnight.  Miss  Garlic,  that's  why  he's 
late  this  morning ;  Joe  is  usually  down  afore  me. 
In  fact,  he's  the  only  man  I  ever  knew  that  was 
willing  to  help  along,  and  not  leave  every  thing  to 
the  women  folks." 

Lydia  smiled ;  this  remark  put  her  in  mind  of 
what  Prudence  had  said,  the  morning  when  xldams 
had  been  so  tardy  making  his  appearance. 

"  But  besides  being  an  early  riser,  and  a  most 
kind-hearted  fellow,  he's  a  genius.  He  can, 
when    he   devotes    himself  to    his  farm,   plough 


108     •  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

more  laud  in  a  day  than  any  other  man  in  Hart- 
ford; he  can  shoe  a  hoise ;  drill  the  lads  into 
soldiers ;  and  he  can  exhort.  But,  wliat's  bet- 
ter yet,  at  a  pinch  he  can  bake  bread."  These 
last  words  Avere  spoken  with  intense  energy. 
"  Then,  too,  he's  a  scholar.  Why,  Miss,  you  aiu't 
..oen  half  this  house  yet.  There's  a  room  in  it, 
v^■here  there's  nothing  but  books ;  and  to  tell  the 
truth,  that's  the  only  place  I'm  not  allowed  to 
penetrate.  I  did  get  in  once,  however,  a  few  weeks 
ago,  and  succeeded  in  dusting  and  putting  things 
almost  to  rights,  when  Joe  arrived  with  his  friend 
Adams,  and  caught  me.  'Twas  the  only  time  I  ever 
saw  my  nephew  vexed.  He  said  nothing,  however^ 
except  that  it  would  take  him  a  month  to  find  his 
pens  and  sealing  wax.  But  when  I  opened  a 
drawer,  and  showed  'em  to  him  all  nicely  stowed 
away  in  a  pasteboard  box,  he  had  to  laugh.  Isn't 
it  queer  how  men  hate  tidiness !  Even  my  Joe, 
with  all  his  good  qualities,  would  stay  a  hundred 
years  in  that  room,  without  having  it  swept  and  put 
in  order." 

While  she  was  talking.  Miss  Crabtree's  eyes 
were  fixed  on  an  Indian  cake,  placed  amongst  tlie 
embers,  and  which  seemed  to  be  almost  baked. 
Suddenly  she  smoothed  her  apron  down,  and  whis- 
pered ;  '•  He's  coming."  At  that  moment  Lydia 
heard  footsteps  on  the  staircase,   and  leaving  her 


CHARTER   OAK.  109 

seat,  hastened  to  place  herself  besiele  the  old  maid. 
The  master  of  the  house  descended  briskly,  rub- 
bing his  hands  as  if  he  felt  the  keen  air  of  the  up- 
per story,  and  when  he  reached  the  bottom  of  the 
steps,  was  about  advancing  towards  the  fireplace, 
when  he  caught  sight  of  the  girl,  and  halted.  He 
was  of  medium  height,  perhaps  twenty-eight  or 
thh'ty  years  of  age,  with  broad  shoulders,  and  a 
thin, care-worn  face,  which  now,  as  Lydia  surveyed 
him,  bore  a  look  of  astonishment  not  unmingied 
with  displeasure.  His  heavy  eyebrows  lowered 
over  eyes  fall  of  dark  fire,  which  seemed  yet  dark- 
er from  the  uncommon  depth  at  which  they  were 
set  in  his  head.  His  features  were  harsh.  But 
while  the  girl's  eyes  were  fastened  on  him  they 
changed,  and  became  softened  by  a  look  of  melan- 
choly. He  wore  a  moustache  and  a  pointed  beard, 
and  except  for  his  hair,  which  was  trimmed.,  evenly 
in  fi-ont,  after  the  fashion  of  the  Puritans,  and 
covered  more  than  half  his  forehead  like  a  skull 
cap,  while  behind  it  fell  in  thick  clusters,  he  might 
have  been  considered  handsome.  To  give  it  this 
sliape  a  cap,  and  sometimes  a  large  boAvl  was'  used, 
and  every  lock  which  in  front  fell  below  the  rim, 
was  clipped  off  by  the  scissors. 

"  A  very  different  person  from  the  lively  stranger 
who  saved  me  from  tlio  wolves,"  thought  Lj'dia, 
as  she  steadily  returned  Wads-.vorth":    ,.1:^  >.     M:-ve"- 


110  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

theless  she  recognized  in  liim  no  ordinary  mortal, 
one  whose  spirit  would  be  content  to  follow  along 
the  beaten  ways  of  life.  Pride — ambition — rest- 
lessness, daring ;  all  these  were  stamped  upon  his 
countenance.  Close  at  his  heels  followed  a  dog 
with  shaggy,  yellow  hair,  and  which  belonged  to 
the  Shepherd's  breed.  The  creature  stopped  an 
instant  when  its  master  did,  then  wagging  its  tail 
rushed  forward  and  buried  its  head  in  the  folds  of 
Lydia's  dress.  The  girl  smiled,  and  stroked  its 
back,  which  act  of  kindness  seemed  to  drive  the 
dog  wild  with  delight,  and  jumping  upon  its  hind 
legs  it  placed  its  paws  against  her  breast,  then  gave 
a  succession  of  sharp,  joyous  barks.  Miss  Crab- 
tree  looked  on,  evidently  not  at  all  pleased,  and  pre- 
sently seizing  the  brute  by  the  ear,  she  pulled  it 
down,  then  introduced  Lydia  to  her  nephew,  tell- 
ing him  that  the  girl  was  the  niece  of  her  friend, 
Prudence  Garlic,  who,  with  lis  conj;ent  had  been 
invited  to  pass  a  short  while  witii  thorn.  Lydia 
immediately  offered  her  hand,  and  there  was  some- 
thing, so  simple  and  frank  in  her  manner,  that 
Wadsworth's  sternness  for  a  moment  relaxed,  and 
stretching  out  his  own,  he  gave  hers  a  cordial 
shake,  to  the  great  delight  of  his  aunt,  who  could 
scarcely  believe  her  senses.  At  the  same  time  he 
asked  if  she  were  fond  of  dogs. 
"Very,  sir,"  responded  Lydia." 


CHARTEE   OAK.  Ill 

**Well,  Miss,  thej^'re  wonderful  company.  Miles 
Standisli  is  called  my  shadow  ;  wherever  I  go  he 
goes." 

Here  his  aunt's  top -knot  gave  a  sudden  jerk,  and 
her  brows  knit,  for  be  it  known  the  dog  and  she 
were  not  on  the  best  of  terms.  When  her  back 
was  turned.  Miles  had  too  often  stolen  choice 
morsels  from  the  table,  and  had  no  respect  for  her 
cat.  But  especially  did  she  dishke  him,  from  a 
rooted  conviction,  that  her  nephew  would  never 
take  to  himself  a  wife,  so  long  as  this  shadow  kept 
him  company. 

"  A  comely  maiden  lawfully  joined  in  wedlock," 
she  muttered,  turning  away,  "  would  be  far  better 
to  have  with  you  than  a  dumb  brute." 

Wadsworth  now  advanced  the  strange  opinion 
that  Miles  had  a  soul. 

"  O  fie  !"  said  Charity,  again  facing  him,  "  don't 
talk  in  such  a  way  afore  your  guests." 

"Well,  how  do  you  know  the  dog  has  not  ?"  said 
Lydia  ;  "  mam^  things  are  true,  which  books  do  not 
teach." 

No  sooner  had  she  uttered  these  words,  than 
Wadsworth's  countenance  brightened  ;  you  might 
have  thought  he  had  made  some  great  discovery. 
Here  was  indeed  a  young  woman  different  from 
any  he  had  ever  met  before,  one  who  did  not  fol- 
low in  the  beaten  track,  and  whom  he  might — yes, 


112  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

whom  he  might  get  to  love  and — .  But  no,  that 
never  could  be  ;  there  was  an  obstacle  in  his  way, 
which  although  created  by  himself,  he  was  power- 
less to  remove,  without  incurring  the  wrath  of  the 
Almighty ;  and  the  feeling  with  which,  at  this 
moment,  he  viewed  Lydia,  was  only  a  passing 
weakness.  Presently  his  strong  will  came  to  the 
rescue,  and  the  harsh  look  again  clouded  his 
visage.  But  Charity  was  satisfied  with  the  pro- 
gress already  made ;  better  slow  than  not  at  all, 
and  slappinghimon  the  back  ;  "That's  right,  Joe," 
she  exclaimed,  "  be  your  old  self  again." 

Presently  Goody  Garhc  made  her  appearance, 
and  although  Wads  worth  gave  her  a  rather  dis- 
tant welcome,  he  assured  her  that  as  a  friend  of 
his  aunt,  nothinoj  would  be  left  undone  to  make 
her  visit  to  Hartford  as  pleasant  as  possible. 

The  servant  now  placed  a  griddle  of  cakes  upon 
the  table,  and  Miles  Standish's  nose  was  immedi- 
ately pointed  towards  them  ;  while  so  eager  was 
his  gaze  that  Lydia  took  one  of  them  in  her 
fingers,  and  holding  it  high  in  the  air  made  the 
dog  jump  and  catch  it.  Wadsworth  smiled,  but 
Charity  bit  her  lip  and  clutched  her  apron,  as  if 
she  were  going  to  tear  it  off — it  seemed  too  bad 
this  new  comer  should  make  so  free,  and  take 
such  a  liking  for  the  hateful  beast.  Her  dis- 
pleasure was  about  breaking  foitli  in  words,  when 


CHAllTER   OAK.  113 

Wadswortli  taking  tlie  Bible  from  a  shelf,  tapped 
it  with  his  knuckle  and  gave  the  signal  for 
prayers.  At  once  she  folded  her  arms  and  bowed 
her  head ;  the  others  followed  her  example,  and 
for  the  next  five  minutes  nothing  was  heard  but 
her  nephew's  deep  and  solemn  voice.  At  the  end 
of  that  time,  Miles  grew  impatient ;  one  mouthful 
had  only  whetted  his  appetite,  and  he  began 
thumpmg  his  tail  on  the  floor  and  whining.  Lydia 
could  not  resist  this  appeal ;  so  slyly  taking  another 
cake  from  the  platter,  she  let  it  drop  between  his 
jaws,  which  came  together  with  a  sound  very  like 
the  click  of  a  steel-trap.  Miss  Crabtree  shud- 
dered ;  what  would  her  nephew  think  of  such  con- 
duct ?  Could  he  pass  it  over  unnoticed?  Impos- 
sible !  Fancy  then  her  astonishment,  when  pres- 
sently  he  closed  the  book,  and  took  his  seat  at  the 
table  as  quietly  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 
.  "  Alas  !"  she  sighed,  "  the  girl  has  odd  ways.  Ifc 
may  be  the  devil  has  got  into  her ;  if  so,  he  must 
be  got  out,  or  she'll  never  do  for  Joe's  wife.  But 
Joe !  what  has  come  over  him,  that  he  is  so 
lenient  ?" 

Prudence  was  hardly  less  astonished  than  her 
friend,  at  the  girl's  behavior.  At  home  Lydia  had 
always  conducted  herself  properly,  and  the  dame 
could  only  account  for  this  sudden  change,  by  sup- 
posing that  she  had  not  yet  recovered  from  tha 


114  ROMANCE    or   THE 

excitement  of  the  perilous  journey  down  the  river. 
During  the  meal  vvliicli  followed,  Miss  Crabtree 
kept  her  eyes  pretty  busy,  watching  first  Lydia, 
then  her  nephew,  who  did  not  eat  quite  so  much 
as  usual.  He  seemed  anxious  that  his  young  guest 
should  taste  of  everything ;  and  his  attentions 
resulted  in  forming  about  her  plate  a  semi-circle  of 
cakes,  maple  syrup,  honey,  sweetmeats,  etc. 

"  Curls  are  wonderful  things  for  touching  a  man's 
heart,"  thought  the  aunt.  "  Perhaps  I  was  wrong- 
to  judge  hastily  ;  she  may  after  all  be  a  God-fearing 
maiden." 

Whether  or  no  she  was  right  in  supposing  that 
her  nephew  was  growing  bewitched  by  Lydia's 
tresses,  certain  it  is  that  his  own  locks  did  not  in- 
spire the  girl  with  any  corresponding  admiration. 
Mad  Adams  had  always  Avorn  his  in  the  same 
homely  style ;  but  then  he  was  born  an  ugly  fellow, 
whereas  Wadsworth  was  a  man  of  naturally  fine 
presence,  whom  the  stern  spirit  of  the  age  seemed 
bent  on  deforming.  The  meal  was  nearly  finished 
before  Miss  Crabtree  spoke. 

"  Joe,"  she  said,  "  when  you  came  home  last 
night,  I  was  so  drowsy  I  forgot  to  ask  what  had 
kept  you  out  so  late.  Any  thing  gone  wrong  with 
the  train-band  to  require  your  presence,  or  were 
3^ou  visiting  some  neighbors  ?" 

"  No,  aunt,"  he  replied,   "  there  are  never  any 


CHAllTER   OAK.  115 

brawls  among  my  soldiers ;  and  as  for  visiting,  you 
know  I'm  not  given  to  that."  Here  the  good- 
woman  shook  her  head  and  sighed.  "  But  if  you 
wish  I'll  tell  what  detained  me.  xlbout  eight 
o'clock  I  dropped  in  at  the  '  Bunch  of  Grapes/  to 
learn  whether  our  friend  xldams  had  got  back  yet 
from  his  mysterious  expedition.  I  call  it  myste- 
rious, for  nobody  but  myself  and  3'ou  know  his 
errand,  and  even  I  am  ignorant  of  the  direction  he 
took.  Well,  as  we  were  conversing  about  him,  two 
strangers  entered  ;  one,  who  was  much  younger 
than  the  other,  wore  the  King's  uniform  concealed 
under  a  deer-skin  coat,  and  had  a  very  command- 
ing air.  His  companion,  an  ill-looking  fellow,  I 
judged  to  be  his  servant.  After  whispering  a  word 
to  the  person  who  keeps  the  Ordinary  during 
Simon's  absence,  the  younger  of  the  two  left, with- 
out, to  my  surprise,  so  much  as  taking  a  glass  of 
wine,  although  he  looked  cold.  After  he  had  gone, 
several  of  the  town  folks  began  to  nod  and  wink  at 
each  other,  and  presently  the  stranger  who  re- 
mained, was  invited  to  try  some  of  the  old  rum  for 
which  our  tavern  is  famous.  At  first  he  refused, 
but  being  piessed,  consented  that  the  company 
should  drink  his  health.  Well,  you  know,  aunt,  the 
first  step  is  always  the  difficult  one  ;  after  that,  all 
comes  easy  enough.  No  sooner  had  he  emptied 
his  goblet  than  he  invited  us  to  drink  with  him ; 


116  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

we  accepted,  and  in  a  fcAv  minutes  the  tongue  of 
the  unknown  was  k:)Osed,  and  he  began  talking  of 
things  which  he  had  better  have  kept  secret.  We 
discovered  that  he  had  only  left  Boston  a  few  days 
ago,  where,  he  said.  Sir  Edmund  Andros  w^as  ruling 
with  a  high  hand.  At  this,  one  of  the  company 
declared  the  new  Governor  Avould  live  to  rue  it  ; 
whereat  the  stranger  grew  profane,  and  said  he 
hoped  the  King  would  look  after  Connecticut  ere 
long.  This  remark  led  to  a  sharp  retort  from  one 
of  my  train-band^  and  a  brawl  seemed  imminent, 
but  I  stepjjed  between,  and  put  a  stop  to  the  diffi- 
culty. You  see  my  object  was  to  let  the  fellow  talk 
on  and  give  us  as  much  information  as  possible, 
for  we  have  had  no  news  from  Boston  since  last 
month.  Believing  that  I  was  on  his  side,  the 
stranger  finished  his  drink,  then  went  on  telling  us 
that  our  Charter  would  soon  be  taken  away,  and 
closed  by  expressing  a  hope  that  the  regicide  Goffe 
would  yet  be  found  and  brought  to  the  gallows." 

At  these  words  Lydia  turned  deadly  pale,  but 
the  old  maids  did  not  notice  her ;  they  w^ere  look- 
ing at  Wads  worth. 

"  I  now  asked  him,"  pursued  the  speaker,  "  what 
Jiad  brought  him  to  Hartford,  but  he  would  not 
answer,  nor  could  he  be  induced  to  reveal  anything 
further  regarding  himself  ;  and  I  came  away,  con- 


I 


CHARTED  OAK.  117 

viiiced  that  some  evil  was  brewing.  'Tis  time  for 
us  to  be  on  the  alert." 

"  May  the  Lord  spare  poor  Connecticut !"  ex- 
claimed Charity'. 

"  Amen,"  responded  Goodv  Garlic. 

"Well,  for  m J  part,"  continued  Wads wortlj,  "I 
hope  she  mcij  feel  the  heel  of  the  oppressor.  The 
people  will  then  open  their  eyes  and  see  their 
destiny !" 

These  words  struck  Lydia  as  being  almost  the 
same  which  Adams  had  used  when  he  had  first  an- 
nounced the  arrival  of  Andros,  and  she  felt  con- 
vinced that  it  was  her  host  wdio  had  moulded  his 
opinions  and  infused  into  him  so  much  patriotism. 
Her  heart  throbbed,  too,  to  think  of  what  she 
might  witness  if  she  remained  long  enough  in 
Hartford ;  at  the  same  time  she  could  not  rid  her- 
self of-  a  vague  sense  of  dread  — the  stranger  who 
had  kissed  her  hand,  was  no  doubt  the  same  who 
had  entered  the  tavern  for  a  moment  while  Wads- 
worth  was  there.     Cotild  she  trust  him  ? 

"His  face  haunts  me,"  she  said  to  herself;  "I 
almost  wish  we  had  not  met.  But  he  will  not  di- 
vulge my  secret ;  oh  no,  he  will  not !" 

Just  then  the  door  flew  open,  and  all  out  of 
breath,  as  if  he  had  been  running  liard,  appeared 
Simon  Adams.  No  sooner  did  he  behold  Lydia 
and  the  goodwife,  than  he  threw  up  his  hands  and 


118  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

stood  as  if  rooted  to  the  threshold,  without  uttering 
a  syllable.  Presently  recovering  his  breath,  and 
advancing  towards  them : 

"  The  Lord  be  praised !"  he  exclaimed  ;  "  the 
Lord  be  praised  !" 

Wadsworth,  who  had  not  yet  heard  of  his  guests' 
adventure  with  the  wolves,  was  of  course  puzzled 
by  such  conduct,  and  ordered  him  to  explain  him- 
self. The  honest  fellow  nodded,  and  having  shaken 
hands  with  Prudence  and  the  girl,  went  on  to  re- 
late how,  towards  the  middle  of  the  past  night,  old 
Jack  had  returned  home  without  his  saddle  and 
looking  as  if  some  Avitch  had  been  riding  him. 

"  I  wouldn't  have  told  your  father  a  word  about 
it,"  he  said,  addressiiig  Lydia ;  "  but  the  horse 
neighed  so  loud  that  the  old  gentleman  awoke,  and 
by  the  light  of  the  moon  saw  the  animal  pawing 
at  the  stable  door.  Oli  dt3ar  !  but  it  almost  killed 
him  ;  and  I  felt  awful  bad,  too,  for  I  guessed 
something  dreadful  had  happened.  Well,  at  once 
I  put  the  nag  in  the  stable,  then  taking  my  riHe, 
and  plenty  of  powder  and  bullets,  started  off  on 
your  trail.  I  hardly  thought  Indians  had  attacked 
you,  for  they've  been  quite  peaceable  of  late.  ] 
guessed  it  was  Avolves." 

"  Kiglit,"  interrupted  the  goodwife,  "  and  only  a 
merciful  Providence  saved  us." 

"  Well,   I've   been   running   and    hallooing   the 


CHARTER   OAK.  119 

whole  thirty  miles  down  the  river,  and  if  ever  there 
was  a  tired  man,  I'm  one.  But  the  Lord  be  thank- 
ed, you're  both  safe  and  sound,  and  under  the  best 
roof  in  Connecticut." 

"You  did,  indeed,  have  an  adventure,"  said 
Wadsworth ;  "  if  the  savages  had  carried  you  ojfif, 
Adams  would  have  pursued  them  until  he  dropped 
dead.  He's  the  truest  of  friends.  But,  pray  Miss," 
turning  towards  Lydia,  "  give  me  some  account  of 
what  happened  to  you  and  your  aunt." 

Here  Charity  nudged  her  friend  with  her  elbow. 

"There's  not  much  to  relate,  sir,"  responded 
Lydia,  slightly  blushing ;  "  w^e  w^ere  attacked  by 
wolves,  as  Simon  supposed,  and  while  aunt  climbed 
a  tree  for  safety,  I  was  carried  off  by  my  horse,  and 
would  have  been  overtaken  and  devoured  by  the 
wild  beasts,  had  not  two  strangers  suddenly  ap- 
peared and  discharged  their  guns  at  the  pack,  ti^us 
saving  my  hfe.  But  the  flash  and  the  noise  caused 
Jack  to  swerve,  and  I  fell  to  the  ground,  without, 
however,  sustaining  any  great  injury.  These  stran- 
gers afterwards  accompanied  us  as  far  as  the  town." 

"  Indeed  !  Well,  mayhap,  these  were  the  same 
I  saw  at  the  '  Bunch  of  Grapes ;'  in  which  case  I 
forgive  that  impudent  varlet  much  that  he  said 
about  New  England."  Here  Wadsworth  rose  and 
lit  his  pipe,  while  Adams  took  the  seat  which  he 
had  left,  and  began  devouring  the  remains  of  the 


120  KOMANCE   OF   THE 

breakfast  with  a  voracity  quite  peculiar  to  himself, 
and  ill  five  rainutes  all  tliat  was  oii  the  table  had 
disappeared. 

"  I  hope  you  will  not  return  to  the  log  cabin  with 
a  fresh  pack  of  cards  in  your  pocket,"  exclaimed 
Mother  Garlic,  whose  soul  was  ever  ready  to  warn 
other  souls,  and  who  thought  this  a  favorable 
opportunity  to  lecture  the  Publican. 

"  It  is  a  pity  Mr.  Wadsworth  cannot  teach  you  a 
little  godliness."  This  remark  was  answered  by 
a  mute  but  expressive  appeal.  The  dame,  how- 
ever, saw  her  advantage  ;  she  was  not  going  to  be 
softened  by  Adams'  rolhng  eyes,  and  she  was 
about  following  up  her  attack  when  Lydia  pulled 
her  sleeve. 

"  Why,  nurse,"  whispered  the  girl,  "  ought  father 
to  be  deprived  of  the  only  amusement  he  can  enjoy 
until  we  return  ?  Do  let  Simon  bring  him  another 
pack.  I  will  not  believe  that  what  my  parent  does 
is  sinful." 

At  these  words  the  goodwife  pushed  back  her 
chair  an  inch  or  two  and  clasped  her  hands. 
Could  she  believe  her  ears?  was  this  the  same 
Lydia  who  had  so  lately  refused  the  tavern 
keeper's  sinful  gift  ?  who  but  Beelzebub  could  have 
wrought  such  a  change  ?  Alas !  she  was  not  able 
to  understand  the  powerful  infliK^nce  which  the 
heart,  even  in   matters  of  religion,  exerts  over  uSj 


CHAllTEll   OAK.  121 

and  Low  much  the  girFs  scrupkis  had  been  over- 
come by  love  for  her  father. 

Lydia,  on  her  part,  reahzed  as  she  had  never 
done  before,  that  the  way  to  Zion  is  often  made 
by  foohsh  mortals,  rougher  and  more  tortuous 
than  God  mtended  it  to  be,  and  she  gazed  at 
W^adsworth,  hoping  that  he  would  say  something 
to  excuse  Adams.  Presently  the  former  took  his 
pipe  from  his  mouth,  and  after  blowing  a  wreath 
of  smoke  towards  the  beams  overhead  : 

"  I'm  sure,"  said  he,  "  that  my  friend  and  com- 
panion in  many  an  Indian  fight  would  not  jeopar- 
dize his  salvation  by  doing  what  the  church,  speak- 
ing through  the  civil  law,  lias  forbidden.  He 
would  no  more  play  cards  than  hang  himself." 

At  these  words  the  culprit's  ears  tingled,  while 
his  eyes  fastened  on  his  empty  platter.  He  was 
evidently  much  embarrassed.  Prudence,  on  the 
contrary,   sat  erect  in    her  chair ;    her   head   was 

thrown  slightly    back she     looked    the    very 

picture  of  triumph. 

"  Adams,"  she  exclaimed,  in  a  jubilant  voice, 
and  pointing  at  him  her  long,  bony  fore-finger, 
"  Pve  got  you  in  a  corner  now  ;  confess  that  you're 
a  sinner." 

The  poor  fellow  surveyed  her  an  instant  with 
6-ach  a  supplicating  expression,  that  Miss  Crabtroe 
had  to   laugh.     But   Lydia's   eyes    flashed.     She 


122  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

said  nothing  however,  but  deeply  regretted  to  find 
Wadsworth  as  strict  on  the  subject  of  amusements 
as  her  nurse.  Had  his  mind,  so  strong  and  origi- 
nal, bowed  down  before  the  bigotry  of  the  age  ? 
For  the  next  minute  there  was  silence.  The  good 
wife  was  meditating  whether  she  had  better  push 
matters  to  extremes,  and  thus,  perhaps,  bring 
about  a  reformation  in  Simon's  conduct,  while 
the  latter  was  racking  his  brains  to  discover 
some  way  of  getting  out  of  the  scrape.  For  once 
Lydia's  boldness  forsook  her  ;  she  hesitated  to  tell 
her  host  what  she  thought.  At  length,  as  if  he 
had  read  what  was  passing  through  her  mind, 
Wadsworth  took  his  pipe  from  his  mouth  and  in  a 
solemn  voice  : 

"We  must,"  said  he,  "obey  the  laws,  which  the 
Church  approves,  or  else — eternal  damnation" 
and  the  emphasis  placed  on  the  last  two  words 
sent  a  shudder  through  every  person  in  the  room. 

Simon  now  jumped  up  from  his  seat  and  was 
hastening  towards  the  door  when  Prudence  stopped 
him. 

"  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  she  exclaimed,  "  I  want  you 
to  ask  this  stray  sheep,  whether  or  no  he  brought 
a  pack  of  cards  to  my  house  a  few  days  ago." 

Wadsworth  stared  at  her  a  moment,  then  turn- 
ing to  his  friend  and  lowerioa:  his  shaggy  eye- 
brows : 


CHARTER  OAK.  123 

*« Did  you?"  lie  said. 

"  Not  one  word  of  truth  in  the  whole  story,"  re- 
sponded Adams ;  "  and  you  know  captain,  I 
wouldn't  tell  a  falsehood." 

"  Then  let  me  hear  no  more  about  it,"  continued 
Wadsworth  impatiently,  for  he  regretted  to  think 
that  either  Simon  or  his  guest  must  be  telling  a 
He. 

Here  the  matter  dropped,  but  the  expression  on 
Goody  Garlic's  face  as  the  tavern-keeper  continued 
his  way  to  the  door,  was  indescribable  ;  it  was  now 
his  turn  to  look  triumphant. 

"  Oh,  Simon,  Simon  !"  she  muttered,  "  what  joy 
you  have  given  Beelzebub,  this  day." 

Adams  remained  outside  only  a  few  minutes, 
then  thrust  in  his  head  and  beckoned  to  Wads- 
worth,  who  immediately  joined  him  in  front  of  the 
house. 

"  I've  something  important  to  communicate,"  he 
began,  as  sooa  as  the  door  was  closed,  and  after 
looking  around  to  satisfy  himself  that  nobody  was 
listening  :  "  It  is  this  — Lydia  Garlic  isn't  the  real 
name  of  that  girl  inside,  nor  is  she  any  kin  to  the 
woman  who  came  with  her  last  evening.  Her  mo- 
ther died  many  years  ago,  and  she  lives  with  her 
father  in  a  small  cabin,  a  day's  journey  up  the  river. 
She  takes  care  of  him  and  nurses  him  as  if  lie 
were  a  child,  for  he  is  advanced  in  years  and  quite 


l'>4  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

infirm.  At  this  hour  there's  not  a  sonl  with  the 
okl  gentleman,  and  that's  Avhy  I  want  to  hurry  back. 
The  girl,  depend  upon  it,  won't  be  willing  to  tarrv 
long  in  Hartford;  and  it's  to  consult  you  about 
her  that  I've  called  you  out.  Suppose  noAv  you 
give  me  leave  to  bring  the  old  man  to  live  witli 
you ;  you  are  w^ell  off,  you  wouldn't  feel  the  ex- 
pense ;  whereas  he's  poor,  and  it'll  make  his  daugh- 
ter love  you  io  the  end  of  her  vdays.  Ah,  captain, 
he'll  be  a  lucky  fellow  that  wins  her  heart." 

"  But  you  haven't  yet  told  me  who  she  is." 

"No,  I'm  coming  to  it  presently;  it's  a  secret 
shared  only  by  Prudence  and  myself,  unless  one 
old  maid  has  told  it  to  the  other." 

"  Well,  well,  who  is  she  ?" 

"  The  daughter  of  Goffe,  the  regicide  ! '  respond- 
ed Adams,  lowering  his  voice. 

"No!  the  soldier  who  fought  so  bravely  under 
Cromwell  V" 

"  Yes ;  and  if  the  veteran  has  a  noble  spirit  hi^^ 
child  is  worthy  of  him.  Why, you  might  ride  from 
here  to  Boston,  from  Narragansett  Bay  back  to  the 
last  settlement  in  the  wilderness,  and  not  find  her 
equal.  But  I  need  not  stop  to  recount  her  virtues. 
Wluni  I  was  planning  with  myself  to  have  her 
brought  here,  I  went  over  thorn  all  to  yoii.  Ha  ! 
Ha  !  you  didn't  suspect  then  it  was  Gofie's  daughter 
I  was  praising." 


CHARTER  OAK.  125 

"  And  didn't  her  father  come  to  Hartford  seven  or 
eiglit  years  ago  and  remain  hidden  in  Captain  Bnir:-? 
house  the  summer  I  was  avray  visiting  UiV  rehxtives 
in  New  Haven?" 

"  He  did,  and  I  helped  him  escape,  when  Andros, 
who,  as  you  remember,  was  at  that  time  Governor 
of  New  York,  formed  a  plan  to  kidnap  him." 

"  But  \y\ij  did  you  wait  so  long  before  telling  me 
about  Goife  ?  3^ou  knew  my  admiration  for  him." 

"  Because,  sir,  the  time  hadn't  arrived.  Noav 
Miss  Lydia  is  in  her  Ijloom,  and  I  hope  my  patience 
will  be  rewarded  ;  the  flower  is  ready  for  you  to 
pick." 

During  the  next  minute  Wadsworth  was  silent, 
not  a  muscle  of  his  face  moved,  and  his  eyes  wan- 
dered off  to  the  belfry  of  the  meeting-house. 

"  If  you  are  a  bachelor  three  months  hence,  my 
name  isn't  Simon  Adams,"  pursued  the  honest  fel- 
low. 

Still  Wadsworth's  lips  remained  closed,  his  gaze 
kept  fixed  on  the  belfry. 

"  Well,  I  say,  captain,  isn't  she  beautiful  ?  Do 
speak." 

"  She  is — but — ."  Here  Wadsworth,  unlike  him- 
self, hesitated. 

*'But  what?"  cried  Adams,  "you  are  thinking 
of  her  curls.  Bah  !  that's  what  I  was  afraid  of. 
However,  they  shall  not  stand  in  your  w^ay ;  her 


126  KOMAN<^E   OF  THE 

tresses  shall  be  cut  off.     Captain,  will  that   satisfy 
you?" 

Another  minute  passed  without  the  chief  of  the 
train-band  opening  his  lips ;  he  seemed  to  be 
struggling  with  himself. 

"  Yes,"  he  said  at  length,  "  you  may  bring  her 
father  here.  I  will  do  all  I  can  to  make  him 
happy  ;  and  by  Jehovah,  Andros  shall  never  take 
him  away." 

At  this,  Simon  rubbed  his  hands,  then  com- 
menced to  laugh  and  dance  ;  nor  did  he  stop  his 
capers  until  he  saw  Wads  worth  frowning.  He  then 
became  quiet  and  without  pressing  him  further  to 
tell  how  he  liked  Lydia,  informed  him  that  he 
would  hasten  back  immediately  with  the  good 
tidings  to  Colonel  Goffe. 

"  'Twill  be  a  joyful  surprise  to  Miss  Lydia,"  he 
whispered,  as  they  re-entered  the  house. 

"  I'm  thinking  of  the  parent,  not  of  the  daugliter, 
responded  Wadsworth,  for  the  first  time  in  his  life 
telling  what  was  not  altogether   the   truth.     His 
friend  looked  at  him  in  wonder. 

"  Folks  call  me  mad,"  said  Adams ;  "  but  you're 
the  mad  one,  not  I." 

It  was  enough  to  excite  his  anger,  that  a  person 
whom  he  had  known  so  long  and  held  in  such  es- 
teem— the  richest  man  in  Hartford,  well  educated, 
and  possessing  so  much  influence  among  his  fellow 


CHAUTEli    OAK.  127 

citizens — slioukl  have  lived  ou  till  liis  thirtieth 
year  without  a  wife.  How  much  pkasanter  the 
Wadsworth  mansion  would  become  if  a  woman  like 
Ljdia  could  take  the  place  of  Charity  Crab  tree, 
who  had  always  seemed  to  Adams  more  than  half 
witch.  The  young  folks  would  then  visit  it  again 
and  make  it  cheerful,  whereas  now  it  was  the  most 
ghostly  dwelling  in  town,  and  he  had  sometimes 
felt  afraid  to  go  up  into  the  garret  by  himself.  So 
out  of  humor  was  he  with  Wadsworth's  indifference 
about  the  girl,  that  he  did  not  even  fill  his  pipe, 
but  hastily  ordering  Christian  to  accompany  him, 
left  the  house  without  even  saying  good-bye. 
Lydia  could  not  believe  he  would  return  to  her 
home  without  letting  her  know,  and  when  she  dis- 
covered from  the  goodwife  that  he  had  indeed  de- 
parted, she  hastened  to  the  door  but  it  was  too 
late,  he  and  the  Indian  were  already  out  of  sight. 
When  she  again  took  her  seat  by  the  fire,  her  host 
drew  near  and  resting  his  elbow  on  the  mantel- 
piece, began  examining  her  narrowly.  He  looked 
at  her  hand,  which  was  stroking  Miles'  head,  then 
at  her  foot,  which,  for  an  instant,  she  had  withdrawn 
from  the  shoe,  then  at  her  golden  ringlets.  But 
what  he  admired  most  was  her  dimpled  chin. 
Gradually  the  sternness  passed  from  his  face,  and 
when  the  girl  glanced  at  him  he  smiled.  Miss 
Crabtree   immediately    winked   at   Goody  Garlic ; 


128  homance  ojf  thl 

Goody  Garlic  winked  back  at  Charity,  and  the 
hitter,  phiciiig  her  mouth  ck).se  to  her  friend's  ear, 
whisj)ered  :  "  It's  a  coming !" 


CHAPTEE  V. 

The  day  was  too  clear  and  beautiful  to  remain 
in  doors,  so  after  Lydia  had  caressed  Miles  until 
the  creature  was  tired  of  wagging  its  tail,  she  pro- 
posed to  Goody  Garlic  that  they  should  go  out  for 
a  stroll.  The  girl  remembered  very  little  of  the 
town,  for  when  she  had  been  here  before  she  was 
only  entering  her  teens,  and  besides,  she  had  re- 
mained but  a  few  months,  while  Mrs.  Bull,  in  whose 
house   the  regicide  had    been  concealed,  had  not 

allowed  her  a  great  deal  of  liberty the  good 

woman  fearing  lest  she  might  speak  indiscreetly 
about  her  father  to  other  girls.  Now  it  happened 
that  Wadsworth,  just  as  Lydia  spoke,  had  been  on 
the  point  of  inviting  her  to  go  out  with  him.  But 
it  was  not  his  intention  to  walk ;  he  meant  to  take 
her  behind  him  on  a  pillion,  and  thus  show  hei 
all  that  was  to  be  seen,  unaccompanied  by  Pru- 
dence or  his  aunt.  It  is  more  than  likely,  however, 
lie  would  have  missed  the  pleasantest  jaimt  he  ever 
took  in  his  life,  had  not  Charity,  who  was  a  shrewd 
far-seeing  woman,  already  Avhispered  to  her  friend 


k 


CHARTEIJ    OAK.  129 

tliat  the  girl  would  no  doubt  want  to  go  out  soon, 
and  if  she  did,  her  nephew  and  she  must  go  alone. 
Never  till  now  had  Prudence  used  deceit  with 
Lydia,  but  this  time  she  certainly  fibbed,  when 
placing  her  hand  on  her  brow  she  declared  that 
she  had  a  headache  and  could  not  accompany  her. 

"  Come  with  me.  Miss,"  exclaimed  the  captain, 
taking  his  elbow  from  the  mantel-piece,  and  as  he 
did  so  the  elog  began  frisking  about.  "  I  will  be 
your  guide  ;  I  have  a  trusty  nag  and  a  saddle  that 
can  carry  us  both." 

Without  hesitating,  Lydia  accepted  the  invita- 
tion, and  as  she  flew  up  stairs  for  her  cloak  and 
hood  ;  Miss  Crabtree  gave  her  friend  another  wink, 
and  at  the  same  time  declared  the  latter  must  take  a 
dose  of  camomile  tea.  Wadsworth  likewise  sought 
his  own  apartment,  having  first  given  orders  to  have 
his  horse  ready  in  ten  minutes.  When  he  re-ap- 
peared, he  was  dressed  in  his  very  best  suit.  His 
pointed  shoes  were  quite,  new,  and  ornamented 
with  brass  buckles ;  his  cloth  coat,  which  fell  be- 
low his  knees,  was  fastened  with  hooks  and  eyes  j 
while  around  his  neck  he  wore  a  linen  band,  pre- 
pared with  wire  and  starch,  so  as  to  make  it  stand 
out  horizontally,  and  tied  with  a  yellow  cord  and 
tassel.  His  beaver  hat,  Avith  an  exceedingly  broad 
brim,  was  shaped  like  a  steeple,  and  lastly,  he  wore 
a  watch,  a  rare  thing  in  those  days,  and  only  four 


130  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

of  tlie  geutlemeu  of  Hartford,  besides  himselfj 
could  boast  of  one. 

As  soon  as  Lydia  beheld  him  in  the  fashionable 
rig  of  the  Seventeeth  century,  she  with  difficulty 
refrained  from  laughing,  and  thought  he  had  looked 
much  better  in  his  deer-skin  jacket  and  high-top 
boots.  Presently  a  servant  announced  that  the 
horse  was  at  the  door,  and  Wadsworth,  taking  a 
hazle  switch  from  the  top  of  the  cupboard,  made 
her  a  sign  to  follow.  But  when  he  reached  the 
threshold  lie  stopped,  while  she  passed  out,  and 
began  stroking  the  animal's  long  mane  and  rul)bing 
its  nose.  The  steed  was  of  a  chestnut  coloi',  with 
small  sharp-pointed  ears,  high  shoulders  and  very 
broad  forehead,  indicating  gentleness  and  sagacit3^ 

"  I'm  glad  you  like  him,"  said  Wadsworth  smiling. 

"  Oh,  very  much,  sir ;  pray  what  is  his  name." 

"Puritan.  lie  belongs  to  the  Narragansett 
breed,  which  is  exceedingly  fast  and  enduring,  and 
I  never  can  be  too  grateful  to  those  citizens  of 
Ehode  Island,  John  Hull,  Mr.  Brenton,  and  Bene- 
dict Arnold,  who  twenty  years  ago,  inclosed  Point 
Judith  Neck,  and  devoted  their  time  to  raising 
there  a  superior  race  of  horses.  Puritan  is  the 
fruit  of  their  enterprise.'  * 

In  another  moment  they  were  on  the  animal's 
back,  and  moving  across  the  snow-covered  lawn  be- 
tween the  house  and  the  street,  while  more  than  one 

'urigiu  of  NaiTiigansctt pacer.  Archseologia  Ameiicaiia,  iii.,p.  138. 


CHAET2R   OAK.  131 

pair  of  eyes  were  already  turned  upon  tliem  from 
the  opposite  side  of  the  way,  for  it  was  a  novel 
sight,  the  Captain  of  the  train-band  riding  in  front 
of  a  blooming  maiden. 

"  Nothing  like  a  pillion  for  courting,"  exclaimed 
Charity,  when  they  were  out  of  earshot.  "  But 
them  curls !  Oh  dear,   what  scandal  they'll  give !" 

"  Yet  they  look  mighty  pretty  fluttering  in  the 
wind,"  said  dame  Garlic.  "  I  almost  wish  she 
might  keep  them." 

"  'Tween  you  and  me,  I  wish  it  too,  as  far  as  Joe*s 
concerned,"  returned  the  other.  "But  we  must 
obey  the  Church."  Here  we  will  leave  the  old 
maids  awhile,  and  follow  Wads  worth  and  his  fair 
companion.  Entering  Main  street,  the  captain 
turned  his  horse  to  the  left,  and  proceeded  at  a 
gentle  pace  towards  the  southern  extremity  of  the 
town,  which  was  a  mile  distant,  while  Lydia  sur- 
veyed the  scene  around  her  with  the  greatest  inter- 
(jst  and  delight.  The  place  had  changed  a  great 
deal  since  she  had  last  seen  it  in  1G80.  The  houses 
were  many  of  them  new,  and  the  open  spaces 
which  separated  one  from  the  other,  instead  of  be- 
ing bare  as  formerly,  were  planted  with  apple  trees, 
whose  trunks  were  now  wrapped  in  straw  to  protect 
them  from  frost.  The  girl  noticed,  too,  that  while 
many  of  the  dwellings  were  thatched  like  her  own 
cabin,  not  a  few  had  tile  and  shingle  roofs ;  and  the 


132  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

second  stories  of  these,  the  more  pretentious  edi- 
fices, projected  a  foot  or  more  beyond  the  lower, 
while  all  had  windows  with  diamond-sha2)ed  glass. 
Owing,  perhaps,  to  the  lovely  weather,  Hartford 
presented  this  morning  a  more  than  usually  ani- 
mated appearance.  Every  one  of  its  twelve  hun- 
dred inhabitants-  seemed  to  have  come  forth  to 
enjoy  the  blue  sky  and  delightful  sunshine.  Here 
stood  a  granny,  with  scissors  in  hand,  carefully  ad- 
justing a  hollow  pumpkin  over  the  head  of  her 
grandchild,  whose  locks  she  was  about  to  trim, 
while  at  her  side  was  another  crone  telling  the  gos- 
sip, or  discussing  the  minister's  last  sermon.  Not 
far  off  was  a  group  of  men,  smoking  their  pipes, 
and  wondering  what  Sir  Edmund  Andros  would  do 

next some  thought  he   might  attempt   to   take 

away  the  charter  of  the  colony  by  force  ;  others 
dissented  from  this  opinion.  Farther  on  was  a 
bevy  of  girls  in  scarlet  cloaks,  and  plain,  sombre- 
colored  hoods,  unadorned  by  ribbon  or  ornament 
of  any  kind,  and  without  any  curls  stealing  down 
their  shoulders.  They  Avere  laughing  and  chatting, 
however,  quite  as  much  as  those  of  their  age  and 
sex  do  now-a-days,  and  criticizing  full  as  unmerci- 
fully awkward  Tom  and  laidiy  Dick.  But  besides 
being  plainly  dressed,  they  differed  in  one  other 
respect  from  maidens  of  the  present  generation , 

*Tliis  was  the  population  in  1G87. 


CHAR  I  Ell   OAK.  133 

tliey  Avcre  inorc  plump  and  rosy.  As  Wadswortli 
and  liis  companion  rode  by  tlic  two  crones,  the 
latter  ceased  gossiping,  and  wliile  tliey  dropped  a 
curtsy,  opened  their  eyes  as  wide  as  saucers  and 
stared  in  utter  amazement.  The  men  did  the  same, 
and  so  did  all  the  other  women,  while  such  as  had 
daughters  of  a  marriageable  age,  were  not  alto- 
gether pleased.  But  the  general  opinion  amongst 
the  men  was,  that  the  captain  would  be  all  the 
better  if  he  took  a  wife.  True,  it  would  add  nought 
to  his  popularity.  No  one  could  dislike  a  man 
who  made  such  generous  use  of  his  worldly  goods, 
who,  while  he  preserved  his  dignity  on  all  occasions, 
never  slighted  anybody,  and  who,  although  fond  of 
political  discussion,  and  from  his  extensive  reading 
certain  to  come  off  victorious,  never  hurt  the  feel- 
ings of  an  opponent ;  still,  for  the  past  few  years, 
Wadswortli  had  closed  his  house  to  all  except 
Adams,  and  had  not  attended  a  single  "  husking" 
party  or  "  Bee  ,"  and  it  was  only  at  town  meet- 
ings, and  on  drill  days,  that  he  emerged  from  his 
seclusion.  But  if  the  men  and  women  stared  as^ 
the  captain  and  L^^dia  rode  by,  it  was  when  the 
happv  couple  passed  the  heYj  of  lasses,  that  there 
was  the  greatest  commotion  and  fluttering  of 
hearts.  Faith  Genness,  a  qui<3t,  rather  timid 
girl,  bit  her  lip  until  the  blood  came,  \vhile  Dorothy 


134  Ro:\rANCE  of  thk 

Pliilbiick  declared  that  slie  had  never  been  so 
scandahzed  before. 

"  Curls  ! — and  such  sinful  ones  too — Oh  dear !" 

Faith,  who  was  the  youngest  of  them,  attempted 
to  offer  a  feeble  apology  for  the  stranger,  and 
hinted  that  they  should  all  be  allowed  to  wear  them. 
*'  Why  not  ?"  she  said.  "Long  hair  is  natural  to  our 
sex,  and  you  cannot  say  that  yonder  maiden  sitting 
behind  Captain  Joe,  doesn't  look  much  better  for 
hers." 

But  this  remark  was  met  by  such  a  storm  of 
frowns,  that  Miss  Genness  spoke  not  another  word  ; 
yet  every  one  of  her  comjDanions  secretly  agreed 
with  her.  Jealousy,  however,  smothered  every 
other  feeling. 

When  Wadsworth  and  Lydia  had  proceeded 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  they  came  to  the  village 
green,  which  was  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the 
road,  and  in  the  centre  of  it  stood  an  odd-looking 
structure  with  pyramid  roof  and  belfrj-.  Posted 
on  the  door  was  a  notice  of  the  last  town  meeting, 
which  the  sexton  had  neglected  to  remove,  while 
on  the  right  of  the  entrance  was  a  pile  of  flat 
stones,  about  four  feet  high,  called  a  horse-block, 
and  which  was  intended  to  assist  the  women  wor- 
shipers in  getting  off  their  pillions. 

"  This,"  said  Wadsworth,  stopping  his  horse,  "  is 
where  I  come  to  worship.     It  is  our  oldest  meeting- 


CHAUTER   OAK.  135 

house.  There  is  another  one,  built  in  1670^  which 
we  Avill  come  to  bv  and  by.  Take  notice  now, 
there  are  not  many  graves  around  it  yet,  for  we 
are  a  sober,  God-fearing  people,  and  death  has 
.  been  sparing  of  us." 

The  tombstones,  which  certainly  were  not  numer- 
ous, stood  on  the  ric,ht  and  left  of  the  buildinsf,  as 
well  as  in  the  rear.  Some  bore  no  name  or  inscrip- 
tion of  any  kind,  and  these  he  informed  her  mark- 
ed the  resting-places  of  strangers,  who  had  wan- 
dered hither  from  Europe,  or  other  parts  of  the 
country,  and  died  Avithout  being  known  to  any  of 
the  citizens. 

"  There,"  he  continued,  pointing  to  a  plain  slab 
of  red  sand  stone,  about  five  inches  thick,  and 
raised  a  little  from  the  ground  on  blocks  of  the 
same  material,  "  there  is  where  the  Reverend  Sam- 
uel Stone  is  buried.     Can  you  read  the  inscrij).tion  ?" 

"Here,  patieiUy  w.aitiu-^  for  ths  r3suvroctioii,  lies  Reverend 
S.imuel  Stone.  Deceased  ye  01  ye.ir  of  his  age,  30th  day  of 
Jnly,  lGfi3. 

New  England's  glorj'  and  her  radiant  cro\sii 
Was  he  who  now,  on  softest  bed  of  down.. 
,  'Till  glorious  re.'mrrection  morn  appear. 

Doth  safely,  sweetly  sleep  in  Jesus  here. 
In  nature's  solid  art  and  reasoning  well, 
'Twas  known  bej'ond  compare  he  did  excel, 
Erroi  s  corrupt  by  sinuous  dispute, 
He  did  oppugn  and  clearly  them  confute. 
Above  all  things  he  Christ  his  Lord  preferred. 
Hartford,  thy  richest  jewel's  he-e  interred." 


136  KOi^rANcJE    OF   THE 

When  Lydia  liad  read  it,  Wadswortli  drew  her 
attention  to  another  slab,  on  which  was  written  : 

'♦In  memory   of  Rev.    Thomas   Hookek,    wlio,   in  1G36,  planted 
the  first  cliiircli  in  Connecticut." 

"  I've  shown  you  these  graves,"  he  said,  "  be- 
cause they  cover  the  remains  of  two  great  men, 
but  for  whose  spirit  of  Godhness,  and  the  Httle 
account  they  made  of  the  dangers  of  the  wilder- 
ness, Connecticut  woukl  not  have  been  what  she  is 
to-day.  You  must  know,  Miss,  that  the  Reverend 
Samuel  Stone  and  Mr.  Hooker  came  here  from  Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts,  as  long  ago  as  1636.  The 
country  is  wild  enough  now  ;  fancy  what  it  must 
have  been .  then,  roamed  over  by  the  savage  Pe- 
quots.  Their  only  guide  was  a  compass,  and  they 
were  a  fortnight  on  the  way.  The  hundred  men, 
women  and  children  who  accompanied  them  were 
not  a  band  of  emigrants,  impelled  by  a  restless 
spirit  to  seek  a  new  home,  but  like  their  leaders 
they  were  filled  with  the  grace  of  the  Almighty. 
They  startled  the  wild  beasts  with  their  hymns. 
It  was  a  church  moving  west."  Here  he  paused 
a  moment,  then  went  on.  "  It  has  been  said.  Miss, 
that  we  have  had — 

* '  '  Cotton  for  our  clothing, 
Hooker  for  our  fishing, 
And  Stone  for  our  building.' 

"  These  three  divines,  Cotton,  Hooker  and  Stone, 
came  over  from  England  in  1 633.     The  first  wrote 


CHARTER   OAK.  137 

an  excellent  Catecliism,  entitled  "  Cotton's  Milk  for 
Babes,"  wliicli  I  will  sliow  ^^on  in  my  library,  and 
his  daughter  became  the  wife  of  Increase  Mather, 
who  is  n.)w  the  pillar  of  the  church  in  New  Eng- 
land. By  her,  Dr.  Mather  has  a  son  named  Cot- 
ton, a  more  extraordinary  man  even  than  his  father, 
and  who  promises  to  root  every  witch  out  of  the 
land.  I  have  never  met  him,  but  the  doctor  is  ex- 
pected here  shortly,  and  will  be  my  guest  during 
his  stay." 

There  w\as  another  tombstone  close  by  the  graves 
of  the  ministers,  which  bore  the  name  of  Nancy 
Clark,  and  which  attracted  Lydia's  attention,  from 
the  following  quaint  lines  carved  on  it 

"  Kem ember  me  as  you  pass  by, 
For  as  you  are  so  once  was  I ; 
As  I  am  now,  so  you  must  be, 
Prepare  in  time  to  follow  me. " 

While  she  was  reading  them,  the  bell  of  the 
meeting-house  l7egan  to  toll,  and  Wadsworth  im- 
mediatety  let  the  reins  drop,  and  crossing  his  arms, 
murmured : 

"  There's  another  soul  departed ;  whose  tu.ii 
next?" 

At  this  moment  two  men,  who  had  come  from  the 
rear  of  the  church,  assumed  a  like  attitude,  and 
the  girl  could  not  help  thinking  what  a  solemn  cus- 
tom it  was  thus  to  take  note  of  a  death. 

"  Good  morning,  Mr.  Barebones,  good  morning, 


138  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

Mr.  Japlieth,"  exclaimed  the  captain,  after  lie  liad 
said  a  prayer.  One  of  those  whom  he  thus  ad- 
dressed, Jacob  Japheth,  was  ti thing-man  of  the 
Parish,  and  to  him  Ljdia  immediately  took  a 
fancy.  Yet  he  was  anything  but  handsome,  his 
short  body  being  much  inclined  to  corpulence,  and 
he  had  only  one  eye ;  but  that  one  twinkled  so 
merrily,  and  his  face  wore  such  a  pleasant  smile,  as 
he  returned  the  captain's  greeting,  that  she  felt  he 
was  an  honest  man,  and  that  the  world  had  gone 
easy  with  him.  His  companion  was  tall  and  thin, 
with  a  high,  well-developed  brow,  which  showed 
him  to  be  a  person  of  thought.  His  countenance, 
however,  did  not  please,  it  was  so  lugubrious,  and 
the  girl  was  convinced  there  was  a  skeleton  in  his 
closet,  some  secret  grief  the  world  knew  nothing 
of.  Israel  Barebones  held  the  position  of  Kuling 
Elder.  Wadsworth  did  not  enter  into  conversa- 
tion with  either  of  them,  but  went  on  to  explain  to 
Lydia  that  the  "  Green"  was  used  once  a  month  as 
a  drill  ground. 

"I  am,"  said  he,  "  captain  of  the  train-band, 
and  of  the  three  thousand  fighting  men  Connecti- 
cut can  furnish,  none  are  braver  than  the  Hartford 
lads." 

He  added,  that  she  must  certainly  remain  until 
next  drill  day.  To  this,  Lydia  made  no  response ;  her 
attention  seemed  to  be  attracted  towards  another 


CHAKTER   OAIi.  139 

building,  smaller  than  the  cliiircli,  and  which  stood 
on  the  north-east  corner  of  the  "  Green."  Wads- 
worth  immediately  directed  his  horse  there,  and 
stopped  when  he  was  within  a  few  paces  of  the 
door,  wdiicli  was  studded  with  heavy  nails  and  had 
an  immense  rusty  lock,  with  a  keyhole,  into  which 
you  might  thrust  two  or  three  fingers  at  once. 

"  This,"  said  he,  after  she  had  examined  it  a  mo- 
ment, "  is  our  jail ;  and  yonder,"  pointing  his  switch 
at  a  locust  tree  close  by,  with  a  couple  of  iron  rings 
in  it,  "  is  our  whipping  post ;  while  that,"  slightly 
changing  the  direction  of  the  whip,  "  is  the  stocks." 

For  a  minute  Lydia  hitared  at  the  tree,  then  at 
the  other  instrument  of  torture,  which  resembled  a 
section  of  board  fence,  perforated  by  a  number  of 
lioles,  the  upper  ones  being  meant  to  clasp  the 
offender's  wrist,  the  lower  ones  his  ankles,  then 
shook  her  head. 

"  These  are  always  placed  near  the  house  of 
worship,"  he  w^ent  on,  not  perceiving  her  look  of 
disapprobation,  "  in  order  that  the  sinner,  while  he 
meets  his  deserts,  may  have  his  mind  turned  in  a 
pious  direction." 

Still  the  girl  shook  her  head. 

"  What !"  he  cried,  suddenly  looking  at  her,  and 
his  heavy  eyebrows  seemed  to  grow  darker  and 
heavier  as  he   spoke  :    "  What !  do    these   objects 


140  ROMANCE    or   THE 

offend  yon  ?  Eatlier  rejoice,  Miss,  that  the  Lord's 
commandments  may  thns  be  enforced," 

But  Lj^dia's  countenance  still  indicated  too 
plainly  what  her  thoughts  were,  and  giving  the  reins 
an  angry  jerk  he  hastened  back  into  the  road,  with 
a  pang  in  his  heart. 

"Alas!"  he  murmured,  "she  is  beautiful,  but 
she  has  yet  much  to  iearn.  Adams  declares  she  is 
fond  of  books,  and  that  she  thinks  as  I  do  about 
the  future  of  the  Colonies  ;  but  in  matters  of  re- 
ligion she  is  no  better  than  an  infant."' 

For  the  next  five  minutes  neither  of  them  spoke. 
Both  regretted  having  gone  near  the  jail.  Per- 
haps Wadsworth  regretted  it  the  most,  and  yet  he 
was  half  inclined  to  believe  a  special  Providence 
had  guided  him  there,  in  order  to  reveal  how 
utterly  unsuited  such  a  maiden  would  be  for  a  wife. 
But  for  this  revelation  her  beauty  might  have  got 
the  better  of  him,  and  a  solemn  vow  have  been 
V>roken.  "While  these  thoughts  were  passing 
through  his  mind  Lydia  was  thinking  of  liim. 

"  I  have  no  doubt,"  she  said  to  herself,  "  he  is  a 
remarkable  man  ;  but  oh  !  how  cross  !  I'd  have 
given  any  thing  if  the  stranger  who  saved  my  life 
had  proved  to  be  Captahi  AVadsworth.  What  if  he 
were  to  fall  in  love  Avith  me !" 

As  this  idea  struck  her  she  laughed,  and  her 
host,  who  could  see  no  cause  for  her  levity,  showed 


CHARTER   OAK.  141 

bis  annoyance  by  toiicliing  Puritan  with  the  spur. 
The  animal  bounded  forward.  But  presently  the 
captain  reined  him  in  again  and  passed  leisurely 
between  two  groups  of  boys,  rosy-cheeked  and 
saucy,  who  were  fighting  a  battle  with  snow-balls ; 
and  it  took  all  their  reverence  for  Wads  worth  to 
restrain  them  from  pelting  Jiis  horse. 

They  had  now  reached  the  tayern,  or  Ordinary, 
as  it  was  called,  a  frame  building  on  the  east  side 
of  the  way,  with  a  sign-board  on  which  was  painted 
a  bunch  of  grapes.  A  dead  wolf,  which  some 
hunter  had  brought  in,  was  lying  on  the  stoop,  its 
ears  cut  off,  and  a  dog  cautiously  smelling  the 
carcass,  as  if  not  quite  sure  the  animal  Avas  dead. 
Wadsw^orth,  breaking  the  silence,  informed  his  com- 
panion that  it  was  here  the  General  Court  met, 
and  added  that  the  house  was  said  to  be  the  oldest 
in  town. 

"Well,  a  ioyial  company  must  be  assembled 
within,"  remarked  Lydia ;  "  hear  how  they  are 
laughing." 

"  Aye,  Miss,  a  game  of  shoyel-board  is  going 
on,  and  I  fear  the  guests  haye  had  more  than 
half  a  pint  of  wine  each,  which  is  the  lawful  quan- 
tity ;  they  are  indeed  yery  hilarious.  But  Satan 
cannot  always  be  checked,  and  the  felknv  who 
keeps  the  Bunch  of  Grapes  during  Simon's  absence 
is  not  troubled  with  scruples." 


142  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

Contmuing  their  way  a  little  further,  they  met  a 
gaunt  individual,  clad  in  deerskin  suit  and  fur  cap, 
who  was  driving  a  sled  load  of  wood  to  the  market- 
place, which  was  a  short  distance  in  rear  of  the  old 
meeting  house,  near  what  was  then  called  Meeting 
House  Alley. 

"  Good  morning.  Cap.,"  he  exclaimed ;  "  any 
news?" 

Wadsworth  shook  his  head,  then  told  him  that 
he  hoped  to  have  some  by  next  drill-day. 

*'  Well,  I'll  be  there,"  said  the  woodman,  "  never 
missed  a  drill  yet.  But  Cap.,  we'll  soon  have 
spring.  Hark !  don't  you  hear  the  blue-bird  ?" 
and  as  he  spoke  he  raised  his  hand  and  pointed 
towards  the  sky.  Sure  enough,  Lydia  heard  at 
that  moment  the  wild,  somewhat  plaintive  note  of 
the  pioneer  of  the  feathered  tribe,  and  it  made 
her  think  of  the  many  times  she  and  her  father 
had  welcomed  this  sound  together,  as  they  stood 
on  the  threshold  of  the  cabin,  for  it  told  them 
that  winter  was  drawing  to  a  close.  Presently 
they  came  to  a  bridge,  spanning  a  narrow  stream, 
which  Wadsworth  informed  her  was  Little  Eiver. 
"  It  falls.  Miss,  into  Great  Eiver'^"  at  Dutch  Point, 
a  neck  of  land  about  a  mile  below  us,  and  which 
gets  its  name  from  the  Dutch  having  built  a 
fort  there  in  1633.     For  a  number  of  years  they 

*  The  name  of  the  Connecticut  in  those  days. 


CHARTED    OAK.  143 

resisted  the  laws  of  the  Colony,  and  held  ]>osses- 
sion  till  1654,  when  Parliament  declared  thej  must 
leave,  and  Holland,  not  willing  to  support  them, 
the  intruders  departed."  Skirting  the  north  side 
of  the  stream,  was  a  road  leading  from  Dutch 
Point  across  what,  in  those  days,  was  known  as 
Little  Meadow,  to  a  fiouv  and  a  saw-mill,  which 
stood  half  a  mile  west  of  the  main  street ;  while 
immediately  south  of  the  bridge  was  another  high- 
way, Avhicli  began  at  Soutli  Meadow  and  folloAved 
the  banks  of  the  river  as  far  as  the  same  mills. 
Wliile  they  were  crossing,  Lydia  noticed  an  old, 
weather-beaten  chair  dangling  by  a  couple  of  ropes 
from  the  limb  of  a  willow  tree  on  the  further  bank, 
and  naturally  asked  what  it  was  used  for.  But 
Wadsworth  mer<4y  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  as 
she  did  not  repeat  the  question,  she  remained  for 
the  time  being  in  ignorance  of  what  a  ducking- 
stool  was.  The  first  house  beyond  the  bridge  and 
east  of  the  road  attracted  her  attention,  for  it  was 
quite  unlike  any  she  had  yet  seen.  It  was  of  dark- 
colored  stone,  and  had  a  flat  roof,  with  only  a 
single  chimney  and  that  one  right  in  the  centre. 
From  the  door  to  the  gate,  opening  on  the  street, 
ran  a  path  hedged  with  box-wood,  and  there  was 
more  of  the  same  shrub  arranged  in  circles  here 
and  there,  as  if  for  flower-beds.  They  were  almost 
opposite  the  gate  when  Wadsworth  muttered  some- 


lAl  nOMANCE   OF   THE 

thirg,  then  heaving  a  deep  sigh  turned  and  looked 
the  other  way.  For  the  first  time  now  since  they 
had  itarted  on  their  jaunt,  they  met  a  person  who 
neith  jr  greeted  them,  nor  even  raised  his  hat  as 
they  went  past.  Leaning  on  the  gate  was  a  man  of 
perhaps  fifty-five  or  sixty  years  of  age,  with  cold, 
grey  eyes,  which  seemed  to  penetrate  you  with 
their  stare.  His  whole  expression  was  sinister,  and 
the  tliin  lips  which  were  pressed  firmly  together, 
looked  as  if  they  never  parted  in  good-humored 
mirth.  But  some  one  else  besides  this  individual 
was  w^atching  them  from  behind  the  blinds  of  a 
second  story  window. 

"  Who  is  he  ?"  said  Lydia,  when  they  were  out  of 
hearing. 

"  Nathaniel  Clark,"  replied  Wads  worth,  with 
abruptness,  and  as  if  she  had  broken  in  upon  the 
current  of  his  thoughts.  Then  in  a  more  gentle 
tone,  *  His  wife  exchanged  worlds  some  years  ago. 
It  was  her  gravestone  which  bore  the  epitaph  be- 
ginning : 

'Remember  me,  as  you  pass  by.' 
I  have  always  believed  that  she  died  of  a  broken 
heart.     A  most   pious.  Christian  woman,    and  we 
miss  her  very  much  at  meeting  " 

"  I  fear,  sir,  the  widower  and  yourself  are  not  en 
good  terms,"  pursued  Lydia. 


CHARTER   OAK.  145 

"  True,  we  rarely  speak  to  one  anotlier.  He  is 
no  American !" 

"  You  mean,  sir,  tliat  lie  sides  with  tlie  king  ?" 

''  Precisely,  and  therefore  no  love  lost  between 
us  It  is  fortunate  that  he  cannot  write,  and  that 
he  reads  with  ditHculty ;  for  if  his  scholarship  were 
equal  to  his  natural  shrewdness  he  would  have 
done  even  more  harm  than  he  has.  But,  alas ! 
another  hand  than  his ." 

Here  Wads  worth  again  sighed,  and  left  the 
phrase  unfinished. 

"  Oh,  how  blind  the  people  are,"  he  continued, 
after  a  pause.  "  Over  and  over  have  I  told  them 
that  the  easiest  way  to  get  rid  of  our  troubles 
would  be  to  declare  ourselves  independent;  have 
nothing  more  to  do  with  England  ;  drive  Andros 
and  his  minions  into  the  sea.  But  oh,  what 
uphill  work  it  is  to  beat  anj'thing  new  into 
even  sensible  folks'  heads!  I  sometimes  believe 
Doctor  Mather  takes  me  for  a  visionary  when  I 
write  to  him  on  this  subject,  while  our  Ruling 
Elder,  although  a  strict  Puritan,  and  consequently 
a  hater  of  Bishops  and  Kings,  does  not  sympathize 
at  all  with  my  scheme  for  a  revolution.  He  would 
rather  have  us  fast  and  pray  and  leave  our  destiny 
to  be  worked  out  by  the  Almighty.  Hence,  Mr. 
Barebones  unwillingly  plays  into  the  hands  of 
Nathaniel   Clark,  who  is  a  liiazeii-faced  royalist. 


146  KOMANCE    OF   THE 

But  depen:!  upon  it  we  must  use  our  arms,  as  well 
as  our  tongues ;  we  must  figlit  as  well  as  pray,  oi 
else  be  content  to  wear  our  shackles  until  they  rust 
off.  But  no  such  policy  for  me  !  My  dream  will 
come  true  ;  we  shall  win  our  Independence  even 
though  every  stream  in  the  land  runs  red  with 
blood." 

"  I  agTee  with  you  heart  and  soul !"  exclaimed 
Lydia,  "  none  but  cowards  can  side  with  Mr.  Bare- 
bones,  none  but  traitors  Avith  Nathaniel  Clark." 

She  had  scarcely  spoken  when  Wadsworth  turned 
upon  her  all  the  fire  of  his  deep  sunken  eyes.  By 
a  powerful  effort,  however,  he  restrained  himself. 

"  No,  no  !  I  will  smother  it,"  he  muttered,  "  it  is 
only  a  germ  yet ;  if  I  dally  with  it,  it  may  master 
me." 

There  was  something  so  strange  in  his  gaze  that 
Lydia  scarcely  knew  what  to  think ;  she  little 
dreamed  of  the  agitation  into  which  she  had 
plunged  his  soul.  They  rode  on  in  silence  past 
another  meeting-house,  the  same  which  her  host 
had  told  her  had  been  built  in  1G70.^  It  was  not 
pyramid  shaped  like  the  one  on  the  green,  and  over 
the  spire  was  a  glittering  rooster,  which  at  this 
moment  pointed  due  west.  As  they  went  by, 
Wadsworth  remarked  that  Hartford  was  the  first 

*  It  stood  ou  the  east  side  of  Main  street,  a  few  yards  south  of 
what  is  now  called  Sheldon  street. 


CHARTER   OAK.  147 

town  after  Boston,  to  liave  more  than  one  place  of 
woi'sliip.  In  a  few  moments  thej  came  to  a  lane, 
crossing  Main  street  at  right  angles,  and  down 
wdiicli  tliey  turned. 

"I  am  going  to  show  jou,"  said  lier  guide,  "  ii 
favorite  spot  of  mine — one  that  I  love  for  tlie  sake 
of  the  view,  and  secondly,  because  there  stands 
there  the  noblest  tiee  in  the  land." 

As  they  advanced,  the  ground  on  their  right  be- 
came more  elevated,  until  it  might  have  been  called 
a  gentle  hill,  and  presently  they  reached  the  tree. 
It  was  an  oak  of  most  majestic  appearance,  with 
limbs  as  thick  as  the  trunks  of  many  other  trees, 
and  a  circumference  of  full  twenty-two  feet.  Near 
the  roots  was  a  cavity  large  enough  for  a  child  to 
enter,  and  at  the  mouth  of  it,  basking  in  the  sun 
shine,  perhaps  listening  to  the  blue-birds,  and 
hoping  that  this  was  the  last  snow  of  winter,  sat  a 
squirrel. 

"  Here,"  said  Wadsw^orth  reining  in  his  steed, 
"  is  where  I  come  summer  evenings,  to  listen  to  the 
whippoorwills ;  they  are  heard  on  Wyllys'  Hill 
sooner  than  anywhere  else."  Then  gazing  up, 
"  \Yhat  a  grand  old  oak  !  I  dare  say  a  thousand 

years  have  passed,  since  the  acorn  dropped  from 
which  it  sprang." 

"It  could  not  be  more  beautiful,"  returned 
Lydia ;    "  those   wdio    dwell    in    yonder    mansion, 


1-1:8  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

should  be  proud  to   have  it  so  near.     Pray  who 
Hves  there  ?" 

"  Mr.  Samuel  Wylljs.  All  this  land  around 
belongs  to  him.  It  is  said  that  before  Governor 
Wyllys  came  to  America,  his  steward,  whom 
he  had  sent  forward  to  prepare  his  ikjw  home, 
was  on  the  point  (fool  that  he  must  have  been), 
of  cutting  down  this  oak,  when  some  Indians 
begged  him  to  spare  it.  '  It  has  been,'  said  they, 
'  our  ancestors'  guide  for  centuries,  as  to  the  time 
of  planting  corn.  When  the  leaves  are  the  size  o. 
a  mouse's  ear,  then  put  the  seed  in  the  ground.'  " 

"  Well,  for  their  sake,  captain,  I  hope  'twill  stand 
many  more  years." 

"  Yonder,"  continued  her  host,  pointing  to  a 
small  wooden  structure,  on  top  of  the  hill,  "  is  a 
watch  tower.  We  have  another  at  my  end  of  the 
town.  But  guards  are  not  posted  in  them  during 
the  day,  as  formerly  ;  at  night,  however,  there  is 
always  somebody  there.  I  am  going  to  urge  the 
people  to  come  back  to  our  old  custom  and  have  a 
watch  set  the  whole  twenty-four  hours.  The  In- 
dians, it  is  true,  seem  dis])osed  for  peace,  King 
Philip's  war  having  taught  them  a  wholesome 
le^osou  ;  nevertheless,  I  do  not  j^lace  the  same  con- 
fidence in  them  which  others  do.  If  we  believed 
Israel  Barebones,  they  would  all  turn  Christian  > 
provided  we  only  scattered  enough  of  Eliot's  Bil)l<)S 


CHARTER   OAK.  '  149 

amongst  them.  But  lie  is  over  sanguine.  For  my 
part,  I  am  convinced  that  Anclros  is  tampering 
with  the  hcatlien,  who  will  do  whatever  bloody 
work  he  tells  them." 

"  Such  allies,"  said  Lydia,  "  would  be  of  great 
assistance  to  his  Excellency,  in  carrying  out  his 
nefarious  schemes.  I  wonder  Adams,  when  he 
brought  me  news,  did  not  even  hint  at  this." 

"  Well,  it  was  from  him,  Miss,  I  got  my  informa- 
tion. He  is  my  great  scout.  Yet  with  all  his 
daring,  he  is  prudent  and  was,  mayhap,  afraid  lest 
even  his  whispers  might  reach  the  ear  of  that 
Pequot  youth,  who  is  in  your  service." 

"  Surely,  he  might  have  trusted  Christian  !" 

"  Oh  !  his  race  is  treacherous  ;  and  in  spite  of  my 
reverence  for  John  Eliot,  from  whom  our  E-uling 
Elder  gets  his  good  opinion  of  them,  they  cannot 
live  side  by  side  Avitli  us.  Let  them  read  the  Holy 
Book,  if  they  will,  I  do  not  object ;  but  at  the  same 
time  they  must  not  stand  in  the  way  of  civilization." 

After  remaining  nearly  ten  minutes  under  the 
tree,  they  rode  back  into  Main  street,  and  pursuing 
a  southerly  direction  soon  found  themsalves  at 
the  last  dwehiug — a  log  cabin  about  the  size  of 
Lydia's  home.  The  door  opened  as  they  vvT.nt  by, 
and  a  stout  woman,  with  a  ver}^  red  face,  which  was 
beaming  with  good  humor,  dropped  them  a  curtsy. 
AVadsworth  lifted  his  hat,  \m{  at   the   same  time 


150  •romance  of  the 

frowned.  Lyclia  thought  she  had  seen  the  woman 
before ;  yes  she  recognized  her  as  the  same  gen- 
erous being,  who  had  once  offered  shelter  to  her- 
self and  her  parent. 

"  That's  the  widow  Bull,"  said  Wadsworth, 
•'  whose  husband  was  lost  at  sea  a  year  ago. 
Strange  what  a  light  heart  she  can  keep — always 
smiling — better  she  should  weep  for  her  sins. 
Did  you  notice  the  ribbons  in  her  cap?  'Tis 
well  she  does  not  wear  them  at  meeting,  which  I 
grieve  to  say  she  rarely  attends.  Her  husband  was 
just  like  her  in  character,  but  being  a  seafaring 
man,  I  could  make  allowances — and,  besides,  he 
did  one  righteous  act,  for  which  no  doubt  the  Lord 
forgave  him  much." 

Here  the  speaker  glanced  at  his  companion,  avIio 
'lad  been  tempted  to  jump  off  the  pillion  and  give 
the  widow  a  kiss.  Presently  Wadsworth  drew  in 
his  horse,  and  called  her  attention  to  a  meadow 
on  their  right,  which  was  perfectly  smooth  and 
without  a  single  rock  or  stump  :  "  There,"  said  he, 
"  is  a  piece  of  land  which  the  town  has  given  for 
the  support  of  a  free  school ;  whoever  hires  it  will 
get  a  i3rofitable  return  for  his  labor,  while  the  rent 
is  to  go  towards  the  salary  of  the  pedagogue.  But 
tell  me,  who  is  that  person  at  the  further  end  oi 
the  field?     Methmks  'tis  Clark." 

"  It  is  he,  sir,"  replied  Lydia. 


CH  \}!TEK   OAK.  151 

"  Humpli !  I  wonder  what  tlie  fox  is  after  ?  Only 
two  days  ago  I  fonnd  him  measuring  off  this  same 
ground  ;  now  there  he  is  at  it  again." 

"  Perhaps  he  wants  to   hire  it,  and  may  pay  a 
hirge  rent,  if  he  is  zealous  in  the  cause  of  educa 
tion,  which  he  ought  to  be,  considering  the  disad- 
vantages he  must  feel  himself  placed  under  by  his 
own  want  of  schooling." 

"Not  he,  Miss,"  returned  Wadsworth,  his  eye 
still  fixed  upon  Mr.  Clark.  "  Wliy,  he  was  the  only 
one  who  did  not  approve  the  law  of  1677,  which  or- 
dained that  every  toTvai  neglecting  to  keep  a  school 
above  three  months  in  the  year,  should  forfeit  five 
pounds  for  every  defect;  and  I  have  no  doubt, 
although  it  was  before  my  time,  he  likewise  oppos- 
ed the  code  of  1650,  which  declared  that  every 
township  of  fifty  householders  should  maintain  a 
pedagogue." 

"  A  most  wise  ordinance,  sir." 

"  It  was  indeed ;  ignorance  being  the  great 
stumbling-block  to  self-government.  Parents  find 
it  difficult  to  shirk  their  duty,  for  once  a  year  every 
family  suspected  of  not  educatmg  their  children, 
is  visited  by  the  grand  jurors." 

They  now  turned  and  went  back  at  the  same 
gentle  gait  towards  Hartford,  and  Lydia  hoped  to 
catch  another  glimpse  of  Mrs.  Bull.  In  this,  how- 
ever, she  was  disappointed  ;  the  widow  had  proba- 


152  KOMANOE   OF   THE 

blj  noticed  Wadswortli's  froAvn,  and  so  ko})t  in* 
doors.  As  they  approached  the  square  stone  man- 
sion, her  host  urged  on  his  steed  ;  but  did  not  avert 
his  face  ;  on  the  contrary,  this  time  he  gazed  full 
at  the  building.  They  had  almost  passed  it,  Avht'n 
the  door  opened,  and  to  Lydia's  surprise  Milc^s 
Standiah  bounded  forth — in  a  moment  the  crea- 
ture had  jumped  the  picket  fence,  and  v/as  cutting- 
all  sorts  of  capers  around  them.  To  see  the  cap- 
tain's favorite  issuing  from  his  enemy's  abode,  was 
enough  to  excite  the  girl's  wonder  and  curiosity. 
However,  she  asked  no  questions.  Could  she  have 
caught  a  glimpse  of  Wadsworth's  face,  she  would 
have  been  even  more  astonished  at  the  agitation 
depicted  on  it ;  and  as  if  something  were  pursuing 
him,  he  gave  Puritan  a  hard  cut  with  the  whip, 
which  made  the  horse  dart  forward  at  such  a  pace, 
that  in  two  minutes  they  were  across  Little  Eiver, 
and  almost  at  the  old  meeting-house.  Here  he 
allowed  the  reins  to  slacken,  and  presently  they 
met  again  the  rugged  Avoodman,  now  going  back 
to  his  cabin  on  the  edge  of  the  forest,  looking  very 
cheerful,  and  the  honest  fellow  doffed  his  coonskia 
cap  with  so  much  ceremony  that  Lydia  had  to 
laugh,  while  her  companion  shrugged  his  shoulders. 
"  Our  fiiend  has  tucked  more  tliau  one  cup  of 
sack  under  his  coat,  since  we  last  saw  him,"  said 
Wadsworth.     "I  must  tell  the  keeper  of  the  Ordi- 


cnA]iri:K  oak.  153 

nai'j  to  be  on  his  guard ;  lie  is  dealing  out  liquor 
too  freely." 

"  But  the  fellow  doesn't  appear  ti])sy,"  remarked 

Lydia,     "I    should    only   call   him    merry.     This 

i  telling  folks  what  games  they  are  to  pla}^ ;   how 

much  they  are  to  drink ;  and  what  clothes  they  can 

wear,  does  not  strike  me  as  wise." 

She  spoke  playfully,  yet  at  the  same  time  meant 
to  administer  a  gentle  reprooi  to  her  host  for  his 
narrow  views. 

Wadsworth  made  no  response,  nor  did  he  open 
his  lips  again  till  they  reached  the  house.  IJere, 
without  waiting  for  his  assistance,  she  slid  down 
from  the  pillion  and  was  about  raising  the  latch, 
when  he  sprang  ofi'  the  horse,  and  catching  her  by 
the  arm  begged  her  to  stay  a  moment.  Tossing 
back  her  curls  and  endeavoring  to  assume  a  serious 
air,  Lydia  bade  him  say  w^hat  he  had  to  say.  But 
the  words  were  slow  in  coming ;  there  was  a  flush 
upon  the  brow  of  her  host. 

"  How  has  my  native  town  pleased  you  ?"  he  ask- 
ed, after  a  pause,  during  which  his  heart  throbbed 
as  it  had  not  done  in  many  a  year. 

"  Oh,  ever  so  much,  sir,  ever  so  much,  and  I'd 
like  to  live  here  all  my  life,  if " 

"If  Colonel  Goffe  were  only  with  you,"  he  whis- 
pered. 

Lydia  gave  a  start  and  turned  deadly  pale. 


154  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"Oh,  do  not  feav,"  be  coiitiinK^d.  siniling ; 
"  Adams  has  let  me  into  the  secret.  Rest  assured 
your  parent  is  in  no  danger ;  I  would  shed  the  last 
drop  of  my  blood  in  his  defence,  and  so  would 
every  member  of  the    train-band.  " 

As  he  sj)oke,  he  allowed  his  hand  to  touch  hers, 
but  gently  and  timidly.  The  struggle,  though  it 
lasted  only  a  few  moments,  was  a  terrible  one.  The 
flush  was  yet  upon  his  brow,  when  the  door  opened 
and  his  aunt  and  Goody  Garlic  appeared,  looking 
ever  so  pleased,  and  with  tongues  itching  to  ask 
the  happy  pair  how  they  had  enjoyed  each  other's 
company.  But  they  wisely  resolved  not  to  hurry 
matters.  Every  thing  was  Avorking  smoothly,  and 
when  Lydia  entered,  the  old  nurse  threw  her  arms 
around  her  neck  and  told  her  she  was  a  very,  very 
good  girl ;  while  Wadsworth,  as  he  led  the  horse 
towards  the  stable,  exclaimed,  "  a  chaste  and  beau- 
tiful woman  is  the  godliest  thing  God  has  made." 
l)ut  his  rhapsody  did  not  last  long.  Even  while  he 
was  unstrapping  the  saddle,  his  countenance  as- 
sumed a  look  of  deepest  melancholy ;  and  as  he 
went  back  to  the  house  he  murmured  :  "  for  me  the 
Proverb  Avas  not  written,  '  a  virtuous  woman  i»  A 
crown  to  her  husband.'  " 


CHARTF.  11   OAK.  155 


CHAPTER    VI. 

It  was  a  very  pleasant  surprise  to  Miss  Crabtree, 
when  the  nooii-day  repast  was  over,  to  hear  her 
nephew  invite  Ljdia  into  his  study.  This  apavt- 
inont  w.'is  on  the  same  floor  as  the  one  where  they 
were  in  the  habit  of  assembhng,  but  being  a 
great  deal  smaller,  and  not  liaving  any  fire-place, 
was  far  from  being  as  comfortable.  The  girl,  who 
had  longed  to  get  a  glimpse  of  this  retreat,  or  den, 
as  Cliarit}"  sometimes  called  it  when  out  of  humor 
with  the  captain,  immediately  laid  aside  her  knit- 
ting and  followed  her  host,  Miles  Standish  keeping 
close  behind,  and  wagging  his  great  bushy  tail,  as 
if  he  were  as  nnich  i)leased  as  anybody  to  have  his 
master  falling  in  love.  The  room  where  she  pres- 
ently found  herself  was  indeed  a  queer  place,  and 
belied  the  reputation  for  method  and  order  which 
Wadsworth  enjoyed  among  the  town-folk.  On 
every  side  disorder  was  visible.  The  shelves  for 
])ooks  were  half  empty,  and  their  contents,  some 
wide  open  with  ugly  dog-ears  in  them,  others 
with  backs  and  edges  gnawed  by  mice,  lay  scattered 
al)Out  the  floor,  while  goose  quills  by  the  dozen 
were  strewn  under  foot.  In  fact  you  might  have 
supposed  some  malicious  person  had  entered  and 
turned  every  thing  topsy-turvy.     The  only  objects 


I5n  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

arranged  as  tliej  should  1)(3,  weie  a  pair  of  lieavv 
top-boots,  and  these  stood  side  b}'  side,  heel  to 
heel.  But  as  though  Miles  knew  they  were  not  in 
keeping  with  the  rest  of  the  scene,  he  walked  up  to 
them  and  witli  a  shove  of  his  nose,  knocked  the 
right  one  over  on  the  left,  then  looked  round  at  his 
master  Avith  something  \evy  like  a  twinkle  in  his 
eye. 

After  making  his  guest  seat  herself  on  the  only 
chair  the  study  contained,  Wadsworth  folded  his 
arms  and  stood  watching  her.  He  hardly  knew 
how  to  interpret  her  expression,  as  she  surveyed 
the  apartment  It  was  one  of  mingled  pleasure 
and  disgust ;  for  while  her  thirst  for  knowledge  was 
excited,  her  womanly  instinct  of  neatness  and  clean- 
liness was  shocked  1  >y  the  dust  and  the  cobwebs 
Presently  she  stooped  and  picked  up  the  book 
which  was  nearest  to  her. 

"That,"  said  he,  "is  the  Assembly  Catechism, 
than  which  nought  can  be  more  interesting  and 
profitable." 

A  hasty  glance  satisfied  Lydia  that  slie  would 
rather  not  peruse  it,  so  setting  it  on  her  lap  she 
turned  towards  the  table  at  her  elbow,  where,  un- 
rolled to  its  full  length,  with  a  stone  pressing  down 
each  corner,  was  a  map  of  North  Amei'ica.  No 
sooner  had  she  begun  examining  it,  than  her  host 
changed  color  and  his  face  grew  troubled 


CHAKTER    OAK.  157 

"  Did  yon  drjiw  this,  sir  ?"  she  inquired,  aftei 
pjtudying-  it  a  feA7  niinntes. 

"No;  its  origin  is  wrapped  in  mystery."  Tlien 
lowering  his  voice:  "I  found  it  liere  one  morn- 
ing, six  or  seven  years  ago  ;  3'et  wlien  I  left 
the  room  the  evening  before,  I  tnrned  the  key  in 
the  lock,  and  secnrely  fastened  the  window." 

"  Strange  !" 

"  Very,  Miss,  very  ;  and  only  that  the  chart  has 
proved  so  nsefiil,  I  might  have  been  inclined  to 
think  it  the  work  of  a  Avitch,  o.f  whom  several  have 
been  seen  to  ride  over  the  town  astraddle  broom- 
sticks. Bat  I  cannot  believe  any  one  coirnected 
•with  Beelzebnb  w^onld  have  served  me  snch  a  good 
turn.  My  fear  is  that  a  witch  may  get  in  and  de- 
stroy the  map ;  that  is  why  I  have  a  horse-shoe 
yonder,"  pointing  at  one  hanging  on  a  peg  near  the 
door.  This  reminded  L^dia  that  there  also  was  a 
horse-shoe  at  the  head  of  her  bed.  Now  had  she 
been  differently  bronght  up,  or  rather  had  she 
lived  in  a  more  enlightened  age,  she  w^ould  have 
laughed  at  such  superstition  in  a  man  of  the  in- 
tellect of  her  host.  Instead  of  this,  however,  she 
became  grave  herself,  and  murmured  a  short  prayer, 
which  Goody  Garlic  had  taught  her,  in  order  to 
drive  away  the  Evil  Spirit. 

"  Well,  no  matter  how  it  came  here,"  she  re- 
samed,  after  a  pause  ;  "you  ought  to  make  coj^ies 


158  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

of  it,  and  distribute  them  among  the  people.  It 
would  give  them  a  better  idea  than  they  now  have 
of  the  size  of  this  countr3\"  Then  running  her 
finger  westward  along  the  map  :  "  I  perceive,  sir, 
that  you  claim  as  far  as  the  Pacific." 

"  Of  course.  Miss  Goffe.  Let  me  read  a  short 
extract  from  our  charter,  and  you  will  see  I  a  id 
right  in  thus  giving  the  boundary  of  Connecticut." 
As  he  spoke  he  opened  a  drawer  under  the  table, 
and  taking  out  a  sheet  of  paper  began  to  read: 
"  '  Bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Narragansett  river, 
commonl3^  called  Narragansett  Bay,  where  the  said 
river  falleth  into  the  sea  ;  and  on  the  north  by  the 
line  of  the  Massachusetts  Plantation,  and  on  the 
South  by  the  sea,  and  in  longitude  as  the  line  of 
the  Massachusetts  Colony  runneth  from  east  to 
west ;  that  is  to  sa}^  from  the  said  Narragansett 
Bay  on  the  east,  to  the  South  Sea  (Pacific  Ocean), 
on  the  west  part,  with  the  islands  thereunto  ad- 
joining.' " 

After  conversing  a  few  minutes  longer  on  the 
Geograph}^  of  America,  thev  began  talking  of 
Europe,  and  "Wadsworth  was  pleased  to  find  that 
she  knew  as  much  about  the  old  world  as  he  did 
himself.  Presently  she  picked  up  another  book, 
and  with  a  roguish  smile,  said  : 

"  I  wonder  Miss  Crabtree  allows  3'our  library  to 


I 


CHARTER    OAK.  159 

be  in  such  disorder,  while  every  other  part  of  the 
house  is  like  wax." 

"  Blame  not  my  aunt,"  he  responded  ;  '*  before 
you,  no  woman,  at  least  with  my  consent,  ever  en- 
tered it.'"' 

"  Well,  perhaps — "  here  she  looked  archly  at 
him — "  you  will  allow  me  to  come  here,  for  I  am 
fond  of  reading,  but  until  now  the  only  works  that 
have  been  within  my  reach  are  the  Bible  and  Pil- 
gfim's  Progress." 

"  Ah !  a  great  book  that  of  John  Bunyan's ;  and 
I  never  was  tired  of  reading  my  copy  of  it,  before 
it  got  lost.  I  always  attributed  its  disappearance 
to  my  aunt's  broom,  for  she  did  manage  .once  to 
penetrate  my  sanctum.  'Twas  well  I  did  not  find 
it  in  her  dust-pan,  or  I  might  have  given  way  to 
my  temper  and  spoken  words  I  would  afterwards 
have  bitterly  regretted." 

"  I  cannot  believe,  sir,  she  would  have  been  so 
careless." 

"Well,  w^ho  then  took  it?  Even  Simon  has 
never  crossed  this  threshold  !  To  be  sure,  he  wa^ 
with  me  the  day  I  found  my  aunt  sweeping,  but  he 
did  not  follow  me  in  here  ;  at  least  I  am  pretty  sure 
ke  didn't,  and  besides,  he  is  not  given  to  reading." 

It  had  occurred  to  Lydia,  while  Wads  worth  was 
speaking,  that  the  Pilgrim's  Progress,  which  the 
tavern-keeper  had  given  her,  might  be  the  very  one 


160  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

which  was  missing,  iu  which  case  she  ought  to  re- 
store it.  But  how  was  she  to  do  so  without  bring- 
ing a  scolding  on  Mad  Adams?  After  thinking 
over  this  a  moment,  she  commenced  blowing  the 
dust  off  another  volume. 

*•  That,"  said  the  captain,  leaning  over  her 
shoulder,  "  is  the  little  law  book  which  every  family 
is  required  by  the  General  Court  to  keep,  in  order 
that  no  man  may  plead  ignorance  of  what  the  law 
is.  It  does  not  cost  much — twelve  pence  in  silver, 
or  one  and  a  half  pecks  of  wheat,  or  two-thirds  of 
a  bushel  of  peas  at  three  shillings  a  bushel.  I  hope 
you  will  read  it." 

"  I  will,  sir.  Pray,  what  work  is  this  ?"  taking 
up  another  volume. 

"  The  Bay  Psalm  Book,  Miss.  It  contains  all  the 
Psalms,  faithfully  translated  into  English  meter, 
by  the  Keverend  Mr.  Weld  and  John  Eliot,  who 
knew  the  original  Hebrew.  It  Avas  printed  at  Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts,  nearly  fifty  years  ago.'' 

Lydia  next  examined  Eliot's  Indian  Bible,  jDrint- 
ed  in  1664 ;  then.  New  England's  Salamander  Dis- 
covered, printed  in  London  in  1647.  Next  she 
took  up  the  Heart  of  New  England  Eent  at  the 
Blasphemies  of  the  Present  Generation ;  or,  a  Brief 
Extract  concerning  the  Doctrine  of  the  Quakers — 
demonstrating  the  Destructive  Nature  thereof  to 


CHARTER  OAK.  161 

Eeligioii,  the  Cliurclies  and  the  State,  with  Cousid- 
erations  of  the  Remedy  against  it. 

"  A  rather  long  title,"  remarked  Wadsworth, 
"  but  an  excellent  book,  written  by  John  Norton, 
foi'merly  teacher  of  Giirist  Church  at  Boston,  and 
who  ]ield  that  the  devil  made  the  Quakers." 

"  Did  he  ?"  exclaimed  Lydia,  letting  the  volume 
fall  upon  the  floor ;  "  then  it  shall  remain  where  I 
found  it,  and  sorry  am  I  that  I  blew  the  dust 
off,  I  hate  bigots,  and  he  must  have  been  one." 
These  words  gave  her  host  another  shock — they 
reminded  hiui  of  how  she  had  spoken  about  the 
stocks  and  whippiiig-post. 

"  Alas,  alas !  what  am  I  coming  to !"  he  said  to 
himself.  "  Here  is  a  woman  not  only  in  my  library, 
but  actually  daring  to  criticise  the  writings  of  John 
Norton,  and  I  standing  by  in  silence  !" 

At  this  moment  Lydia  turned  upon  him  one  of 
her  bewitching  glances.  "  How  weak  I  am !"  he 
groaned  ;  "  how  weak  I  am.  What  infatuation  has 
seized  me  ?  But  I  will  crush  it ;  it  is  yet  only  a 
germ !" 

Presently  she  took  up  the  New  England  Primer, 
a  work  suited  for  children,  and  which  began  with 
the  alphabet  and  ended  with  a  strange  poetic  dia- 
logue betv>'een  Christ,  a  youth,  and  Satan.  Next 
came  Cotton's  Milk  for  Babes,  a  very  popular  Ca- 
techism, but  she  only  glanced  at  it,  then  let  it  fall 


162  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

OX)  bcr  iap,  and  began  dusting  another  book  with  a 
verj;  L' jg  title,  and  wbich  her  host  informed  her  was 
the  latest  addition  to  his  librar3\  It  was  written  in 
verse,  and  appeared  to  be  a  satire  aimed  at  the  fol- 
lies rife  in  England  and  the  Colonies.  Its  name 
was.  The  simple  Cobbler  of  Agawam,  in  America, 
willing  to  help  mend  his  native  country,  lamentably 
tattered  both  in  the  upper  leather  and  the  sole, 
with  all  the  honest  stitches  he  can  take,  and  as  will- 
ing never  to  be  paid  for  his  work  by  old  English 
wonted  pay.  It  is  his  trade  to  patch  all  the  year 
round  gratis — therefore  I  pray,  gentlemen,  keep 
your  purses.  By  Theodore  de  la  Guard.  London  . 
Printed  in  Pope's  Head  Alley.  Its  real  author, 
Wadsworth  mformed  her,  was  Nathaniel  Ward, 
minister  of  Ipswich.  Then  came  the  Day  of  Doom, 
a  much  admired  work,  giving  a  description  of  the 
Last  Judgment,  by  Michael  Wigglesworth,  A.  M. 
But  what  pleased  Lydia  most  was  a  volume  of 
poems  by  Ann  Bradstreet,  daughter  of  old  Governor 
Dudley,  and  wife  of  Governor  Bradstreet. 

"  You  are  fond  of  poetry  ?"  asked  Wadsworth. 

"  I  have  never  read  any,  sir,"  she  replied,  "  but  I 
love  the  flowers  and  birds,  and  methinks  this  work 
will  be  just  to  my  taste ;  so  I  shall  put  it  in  my 
pocket  and  read  it  at  my  leisure." 

"  Humph !"   exclaimed  her  host,  shrugging  his 


CHARTER   OAK.  163 

shoulders,  "  better  peruse  tlie  Assembly  Catechism. 
However,  do  as  you  like." 

By  this  time  the  girl  had  her  lap  full,  and  as  she 
did  not  pick  up  any  more,  we  will,  for  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  reader,  give  the  names  of  some  of  the 
other  volumes  v>^hich  completed  the  collection. 
There  was  a  History  of  the  World,  and  the  Turkish 
Em]iire ;  a  History  of  Queen  Elizabeth ;  Calvin's 
Institutions  ;  Caesar's  Commentaries  ;  Bariffe's  Ar- 
tillery ;  Burrough's  Christian  Contentment ;  Ball 
on  Faith ;  Dod  on  the  Lord's  Supper ;  Wilson's 
Dictionary ;  Homer's  liliad,  and  two  Bibles.  Wads- 
w^orth,  after  he  had  helped  her  a  moment  arrange 
the  books  on  the  shelves,  stopped,  and  folding  his 
arms,  said  : 

"  I  presume,  from  the  retired  life  you  have 
been  leading,  that  you  are  not  a  member  of  any 
church  ?" 

"  No,  sir,  and  yet  I  trust  I  am  no  heathen." 

"  Well,  well,  that  point  we  will  not  discuss  at  pre- 
sent ;  I  feel  sure,  however,  that  when  you  do  be- 
come a  member,  the  unorthodox  views  you  hold  on 
certain  subjects  will  be  dissipated.  Yes,  you  must 
own  the  Covenant." 

"  But  there  is  no  church  where  my  home  is,  and 
I  must  return  in  a  few  days." 

A  faint  smile  played  on  the  captain's  lips  as  she 
said   this;  he  rejoiced  to  think  he  had  invited  her 


164  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

father  to  come  and  dwell  with  him.  But  mingled 
with  his  desire  to  befriend  the  regicide,  was  there 
not  deep  in  Wadsworth's  heart  another  motive 
which  had  prompted  him  to  offer  Colonel  Goffe  the 
hospitality  of  his  roof,  and  which,  as  he  gazed  on 
Lydia's  face,  again  brought  the  color  to  his  brow  ? 
Was  that  dimpled  chin,  those  hazel  eyes,  that  cheek 
slightly  crimsoned  by  a  blush,  to  become  the  prize 
of  another  man  ?  As  this  thought  was  shaping  it- 
self in  his  mind,  for  he  hardly  dared  acknowledge, 
even  to  himself,  the  fascination  she  was  beginning 
to  exercise  over  him,  the  giii  turned  and  went  to 
the  window,  where,  after  gazing  out  a  moment,  she 
gave  a  deep  sigh.  Startled  by  this  exhibition  of 
grief,  Wadsworth  advanced  towards  her,  and  in  a 
voice  full  of  tenderness  asked  the  cause  of  her  trou- 
ble. 

At  first  she  did  not  answer.  "  I  was  thinking, 
sir,"  she  said,  when  he  had  repeated  the  question, 
"  of  my  dear  father.  See,  yonder  is  a  crow  flying 
in  the  direction  of  home.   I  wdsh  I  could  go  with  it." 

"Oh,  Miss  Gofte,  you'll  soon  see  your  parent 
again  ;  yes,  very  soon.  Pray  leave  the  window  and 
read  with  me  a  few  pages  of  the  Assembly  Cate- 
chism." 

"  Better  let  me  take  the  book  with  me  when  I 
return  to  the  wilderness ;  I  do  not  feel  like  study- 
ing while  I'm  here." 


CHARTEK  OAK.  165 

He  would  fain  liave  urged  the  matter,  but  discov- 
ering that  her  will  was  as  strong  as  liis  own,  lie 
withdrew  his  hand  from  the  volume,  and  remained 
silently  watching  her ;  while  Miles,  who  had  been 
dozing  under  the  table,  jumped  up  and  gave  a 
whine — the  creature  seemed  to  feel  that  it's  master 
had  not  shown  it  as  much  attention  to-daj,  as  usual. 

"  Flow  long  have  you  had  your  'shadow?'  "  in- 
quired Lydia,  patting  the  dog's  head. 

"  Six  or  seven  ^^ears.  Miss,  which  is  about  the 
time  my  aunt  has  been  keeping  house  for  me.  Oh, 
how  lonely  I'd  have  been  without  Miles  !" 

"  And  you  have  neither  parents,  brothers  nor  sis- 
ters living  ?" 

"  No,  they  have  all  exchanged  worlds.  It 
was  fortunate  that  I  had  an  unmarried  relative  in 
New  Haven,  who  was  willing  to  come  and  take  up 
her  abode  here,  when  the  last  of  them  died  ;  for,  as 
a  single  man,  I  would  have  been  forbidden  to  dwell 
by  myself," 

"  What  laws  you  have  !"  exclaimed  Lydia,  laugh- 
ing, 

"  Severe,  but  righteous,  Miss ;"  Wadsworth's 
brow  contracting  a  little  as  he  spoke. 

"  But  even  if  no  law  had  forbidden  you  to  live 
alone,  could  you  have  been  happy,  all  by  yourself, 
in  such  a  vast  house  ?  I  think  my  skin  would  creep 
if  I  Avere  in  it,  with  no  one  else." 


166  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

"  Mj  dog  and  my  books  would  iiaye  been  com 
pany  enongli." 

"  Well,  doubtless  you  know  by  heart  the  contents 
of  each  volume.  ' 

"  Yery  nearly.  Not  an  idle  hour  have  I  spent 
since  Aunt  Crab  tree  came  to  Hartford.  Days  and 
nights  have  I  sat  up  reading  and  meditating,  and 
all  in  order  to  fit  myself  for  accomplishing  one 
great  end." 

"And  pray  what  may  that  be?" 

"  The  Independence  of  these  Colonies  !  Already 
my  superior  learning  has  given  me  great  iniluen-ce 
over  the  peoj^le,  not  only  of  Hartford,  but  of  many 
other  towns ;  the  majority  recognize  me  as  a  leader, 
and  the  partisans  of  the  king  know  me,  and  hate 
me." 

"Oh,  you  will  triumph  over  them  nil — you  will, 
you  will !"  exclaimed  Lydia,  her  countenance  ra- 
diant with  enthusiasm.  At  these  words  the  strong 
man's  frame  quivered,  his  eyes  flashed  as  they  met 
hers;  then  with  a  groan  he  bowed  his  head  and  cov- 
ered his  face  with  his  hands.  The  cause  of  his 
trouble  she  did  not  ever  so  faintly  dream  of. 

"  Oh,  do  not  despond,  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  she  con- 
tinued, resting  her  hand  on  his  arm — and  how  the 
touch  of  it  thrilled  him  ! — "  Andros  has  all  England 
at  his  back,  you  have  the  freemen  of  America.  If 
we  strike  we  conquer.     No,  do  not  despond."  Pres- 


I 


CHARTER   OAK.  167 

ently  he  uncovered  liis  face,  and  in  a  solemn  tone 
"  I  must,"  he  said,  "  first  conquer  myself,  before  I 
can  reach  the  goal.     But  I  will  pray  for  stren^^th, 
Jehovah  will  hear  my  prayer." 

"  What  can  he  mean  ?"  thought  Lj'dia,  half  in- 
clined to  laugh,  "  is  my  host  such  a  sinner  ?" 

Then  alter  a  pause  :  "  I  cannot  understand,"  she 
said,  "  how  there  should  be  any  party  opposed  to 
you,  no,  really  I  cannot." 

"  Well,  there  is,  and  its  chief  is  Nathaniel  Clark  ; 
a  man,  as  I  have  already  remarked,  of  great  natural 
ability  and  Avith  as  much  energy  and  daring  as  my- 
self. Kandolph  and  Dudley  used  to  send  him 
gold  wherewith  to  corrupt  the  people,  and  I  am 
pretty  certain  Andros  is  doing  the  same  thing  now. 
Those  strangers  you  met  on  your  way  here  and 
whom  I  afterwards  saw  at  the  Bunch  of  Grapes, 
were  no  doubt  sent  by  Sir  Edmund  for  some  such 
purpose.  But  besides  Mr.  Clark,  there  is  our  ruling 
elder  who  stands  in  my  way.  Israel  Barebones  is 
a  man  of  eminent  piety  and  wonderful  courage,  and 
you  might  burn  him  at  the  stake  before  you  would 
make  him  abjure  the  Puritan  faith  ;  yet  I  cannot 
help  thinking  he  is  far  astray  when  he  urges  us  to 
trust  only  in  Providence,  in  order  to  free  ourselves 
from  tyranny.  Did  not  Joshua  of  old  fight  as  well 
as  pray?  Oh,  Miss  Goffe,  it  has  been  hard  work 
to  keep  true  to  my  purpose.    But  now  I  find  an  ob- 


168  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

stacle  in  my  path,  that  may  prove  even  harder  to 
overcome  than  open  enemies  like  Mr.  Clark,  or  well 
meaning,  though  foolish  Christians  like  Israel  Bare- 
bones" 

"  What  may  that  obstacle  be  ?"  exclaimed  Lydia, 
impatiently. 

"  Mj  own  self.  But  I  will  pray  for  strength  ;  I 
will  fast  and  do  penance  that  the  temptation 
may  be  removed.  Alas  !  my  soul  will  be  in,  jeopardy 
unless  I  triumph  over  it."  Here  there  was  an- 
other pause,  the  longest  one  yet,  during  which 
Wadsworth  turned  his  back  upon  the  girl  and 
stood  gazing  on  the  floor.  At  length,  anxious  to 
break  a  silence  which  troubled  her,  accompanied 
as  it  was  by  such  conduct  on  the  part  of  her  host, 
Lydia  asked  him  to  tell  her  something  of  the 
history  of  Simon  Adams,  who,  she  said,  was  their 
mutual  fi'ieud. 

"  I  will,  I  will,"  exclaimed  the  Captain,  ab- 
ruptly facing  her  again,  and  looking  as  if  he 
were  glad  she  had  disturbed  the  current  of  his 
thoughts.  "  I  first  met  him  during  King  Philip's 
war,  in  1675,  when  we  served  in  the  same  company; 
and  if  I  am  alive  to-day  it  is  thanks  to  him,  for  he 
twice  saved  me  from  the  tomahawk  of  the  savages. 
Since  then  he  has  led  a  roving  life,  but  his  wander- 
ings have  had  a  purpose  in  them  which  people  did 
not  divine.     It  is  through  him  I  have  been  able  to 


CHARTER   OAK.  1G9 

obtain  information  of  wliat  is  going  on  in  the  dif- 
ferent Colonies  ;  and  as  lie  lias  a  sharp  ear,  a  quick 
eye  and  a  daring  spirit,  few  things  have  remained 
hidden  from  him.  Lately  I  thought  it  best  to  have 
him  near  me,  for  matters  seemed  approaching  a 
crisis,  so  I  have  procured  him  a  license  to  keep  the 
Dunch  of  Grapes.  His  conduct  thus  far  has  given 
no  oftcnce  to  tlie  selectmen  and  he  goes  to  meet- 
ing as  fegularl}'  as  I  do  myself." 

"  Well,  was  he  ever  other  than  good  ?" 

"  Yes  ;  I  regret  to  saj,  there  was  a  time 
when  our  friend  was  given  to  drinking  too  much 
liquor  ;  and  once,  while  in  a  state  of  intoxication, 
he  attempted  to  break  up  a  town  meeting,  and  for 
that  offence  he  is  even  to  this  day  suffering,  for 
they  have  taken  away  from  him. the  title  of  *Mr.'  " 

*■  Do  you  think  that  dreadful  punishment  has  had 
much  effect  on  him  ?"  said  Lydia,  smiling. 

Wadsworth  frowned  a  moment,  then  answered: 
"  Not  as  much  as  I  might  wish ;  but  during  the 
past  few  months  he  has  changed  greatly  for  the 
better." 

The  girl  still  smiled,  for  she  remembered  the 
falsehood  which  the  tavern-keeper  had  so  recently 
told  her  host,  when  the  latter  had  questioned  him 
about  card  playing.  At  this  moment  the  old  maids 
were  heard  singing  in  the  next  room,  and  the  con- 
versation  broke  up,  Lydia  hastening  to  join  them, 


170  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

out  of  curiosity ;  the  Captain,  because  tlie  spirit 
moved  him  to  prayer,  and  he  knew  they  were  chant- 
ing something  devotional.  On  opening •  the  door, 
they  found  Miss  Crabtree  and  Goody  Garlic  side 
by  side,  their  backs  to  the  fire,  one  of  them  beating 
time  with  her  forefinger,  the  other  with  her  foot, 
and  both  gazing  at  the  ceiling,  for  they  knew  the 
words  of  the  hymn  by  heart  and  only  needed  an 
occasional  glance  at  the  page.  Wads^\l3rth  im- 
mediately joined  his  voice  to  theirs,  and  its  deep 
bass  contrasted  oddly  with  the  shrill  nasal  tones 
of  his  aunt,  who  seemed  to  be  trying  to  out- 
sing  her  friend,  for  she  w^as  gradually  rising  to  a 
higher  and  higher  key.  Presently  her  topknot 
commenced  jerking  back  and  forth — in  another  in- 
stant she  was  on  her  toes ;  then,  after  remaining 
thus  about  a  minute,  she  ended  the  hymn  with  a 
shriek. 

"  Practicing  for  next  Sabbath,"  she  exclaimed, 
when  she  had  rested  a  moment  to  catch  her  breath, 
and  addressing  Lydia,  who,  much  to  the  regret  of 
her  old  nurse,  had  remained  a  silent  list^ener. 
"  But  'taint  a  caution  to  my  singing  then  ;  at  meet- 
ing I'm  glory  all  over,  and  you  can  hear  me  clear 
across  Little  river." 

When  Miss  Crabtree  had  commenced  speaking 
the  girl  had  buried  her  face  in  her  hands,  the  tempt- 
ation to  laugh  being  quite  irresistible,  and  the  dame 


CHARTER   OAK.  171 

flattered  herself  that  she  was  saying  a  prayer.  But 
Wadsworth  caught  a  glimpse  of  her  eye,  peeping 
between  her  fingers,  and  with  an  angry  look  he  with- 
drew to  his  study,  closing  the  door  after  him  with 
a  slam,  before  even  Miles  could  pass  through,  and 
there  he  remained  a  full  hour,  as  still  as  a  mouse, 
at  least  his  aunt's  sharp  ear  was  not  able  to  detect 
the  faintest  sound  within.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
the  door  opened,  and  he  beckoned  to  the  good 
woman,  who  immediately  left  the  oven,  where  she 
had  been  setting  a  batch  of  bread,  and  advanced 
as  far  as  the  threshold  ;  but  there  of  course  she 
halted.  Imagine  her  astonishment,  when  he  opened 
the  door  a  little  wider  and  bade  her  come  in. 

"  Can  Joe  be  ill?"  she  thought,  as  she  entered 
the  forbidden  chamber.  "Verily,  he  has  acted 
oddly  to-day  ;  I'm  afraid  fasting  and  hard  study 
are  turning  his  brain."  After  motioning  her  to  a 
seat  he  took  three  or  four  turns  up  and  down  the 
room,  then  stopped,  and  asked  what  she  thought  of 
their  young  guest. 

"  I  like  Miss  Lydia,  exceedingly,"  rephed  the 
dame,  "  yes,  I  admire  her  ever  30  much,  and  my 
old  friend  Prudence,  who  is  down  on  fibbing,  de- 
clares she's  an  angel.  AVliy,  the  gal  was  up  this 
morning  soon  after  bell  ringing ;  and  when  you 
consider  that  she  had  a  right  to  lie  abed,  I  call  that 
smart.     Then  too,  she's  comely;  nay  more,  she's 


172  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

uncoinmon  fine  lookiug ;  there  ain't  anotlier  pair  of 
eyes  like  liers  in  all  Hartford.  But  I  guess,  Joe, 
you  discovered  that  yourself  a'fore  you  asked  her 
to  ride  out  with  you." 

.  This  was  a  home  thrust,  and  with  the  color  rising 
to  his  face,  Wadsworth  took  another  stride  up  and 
down  the  apartment.  "  But  has  she  the  spirit  of 
Godliness?"  he  exclaimed,  stopping  and  giving  his 
aunt  a  searching  look.  "  Is  she  not  given  to  levity 
at  moments  when  she  ought  to  be  serious  ?" 

"  Well,  she's  not  quite  as  sedate  as  I  would  like, 
and  thie  morning  was  not  very  attentive  at  Bible- 
reading;  but  then,  Joe,  that  was  the  fault  of  your 
*  shadow.'  As  for  her  curls,  they're  a  scandal  I  ad- 
mit ;  but  I'll  make  her  cut  'em  off  afore  the  sun 
goes  down.  And  yet,  Joe,  I  hate  to  have  'em 
thrown  away  ;  are  they  not  beautiful  ?" 

"Aunt,  I  did  not  summon  you  here,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  talking  about  Miss  Lydia's  beauty  ;  what 
is  that  to  me  ?  Curls  lead  to  vanity,  and  vanity 
destroy eth  godliness,  even  as  rust  eateth  into  iron. 
Yea,  aunt,  cut  them  off  before  it  is  too  late.  Always 
meet  the  Devil  on  the  threshold,  never  give  him 
an  inch." 

"  I  will,  Joe,  I  will;  but  pray  go  on  and  tell  me 
what  you  have  to  say ;  my  bread  will  all  be  spoilt 
if  you  don't  hurry." 

"  I  wish  to  inform  you,  aunt,  that  the  girl  is  go- 


CnAIi:ER  OAK.  173 

Ing  to  stay  with  us  louger  than  yon  imagine.  I 
have  invited  her  father  to  come  and  make  this  his 
home." 

"  Indeed  !  good,  good !  yes,  bo  can  be  concealed 
here  as  well  as  in  the  forest." 

"  Ha  !  then  you  know  the  secret  ?  pray  who  told 
yon,  aunt?" 

"My  friend,  Prudence,  but  it  was  in  strict  con- 
fidence ;  no  harm,  however,  in  repefxting  it  to  you, 
Joe !" 

"Well,  for  goodness'  sake  don't  let  it  go  any 
farther.  When  the  regicide  passes  under  my  roof, 
let  him  be  as  one  dead.  Oh,  what  pity  it  is  that 
Lidian  lad  knows  it." 

"  But  he  doesn't ;  my  friend  says  he  has  only  a 
vague  notion  that  the  old  gentleman  was  banished 
from  the  settlement  for  some  cause  or  other,  be  does 
not  know  what,  and  has  never  asked  ;  while  both 
Prudence  and  Miss  Lydia  think  he  can  be  impb'citlr 
trusted." 

"  I  hope  they  may  be  right,"  sighed  Wadswortb 
"  I  fear  however  that  if  the  Pequot  comes  in  con 
tact  with  others  of  his  race,  he  may  be  seduced  b} 
the  presents  which  Andros  is  distributing  amongst 
them.  Already  Sir  Edmund  has  persuaded  the 
Mohawks  to  make  peace  with  the  French,  toward 
whom,  like  his  royal  master,  lie  seems  very  partial. 
Indeed,  I   am  convinced,  that  at   Ikm:  t,  bis  Excel- 


174:  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

lency  is  no  Protestant,  and  if  he  dared  would  make 
us  all  slaves  to  liome." 

"  AVell,  Joe,  ^vliat  you  say  may  be  true,  but  I'd 
rather  you'd  not  trouble  yourself  so  much  about  it. 
Get  i.ndros,  the  French  and  King  James  out  of 
your  '/Bad,  and  you'll  sleep  sounder  at  night.  But 
before  I  go  back  to  the  oven  let  me  ask  when 
Colonel  Goffe  may  be  expected  ?" 

"  Mad  Adams  has  orders  to  bring  him  here  as 
soon  as  possible." 

"  Indeed  !  Oh,  Joe,  I  am  so  glad,  let's  keep  it  a 
complete  surprise.  Oh,  how  delighted  Miss  Lydia 
will  be,  and  if  she  isn't  completely  won  over  by 
your  kindness,  then  she  ain't  the  gal  I  take  her  for.*' 

As  the  aunt  said  this.  Wads  worth  motioned  her 
to  leave. 

"Why,  Joe,  you  look  displeased,"  she  continued. 
"  I  tell  you  Miss  Lydia  can't  help  but  love  you, 
when  she  sees  you  acting  so  towards  her  father. 
And  now  before  I  do  go  out  of  this  room,  let  me 
beg  you  to  have  a  husking  party.  Let  it  be  the 
grandest  ever  given  in  Hartford ;  you  have  the 
largest  house  and  barn,  and  dear  knows  how  many 
barrels  of  nuts,  and  more  cider  than  you  can  drink 
in  a  life  time,  unless  others  help  you.  Promise 
now  that  you'll  give  a  husking  party,  as  soon  as 
Colonel  Goffe  arrives.  Of  course  he  won't  be  able 
to  show  himself  at  the  festivity,  but  his  daughter 


CHARTER   OAK.  l75 

will  mingle  freely  amou<^  the  guests,  and  shine 
above  all  the  other  maidens  present ;  every  body 
will  envy  you,  and  won't  I  be  proud,  Joe — oh,  won't 
I!" 

After  a  pause,  which  was  quite  inexplicable  to 
Miss  Crabtree,  Wadsworth  consented,  and  promising 
that  he  would  make  the  occasion  as  jovial  as  he 
possibly  could,  he  a  second  time  motioned  her  to 
leave. 

With  a  countenance  beaming  with  smiles,  Charity 
followed  the  direction  of  his  finger,  and  as  she 
went  back  to  the  oven.  Goody  Garlic  slipped  her 
arm  around  her  waist  and  asked  what  she  was  so 
glad  about  ? 

"  Tell  me,"  she  whispered.     "  I  won't  tell  a  soul !" 

"  By-and-by,"  answered  Miss  Crabtree.  "  Oh,  it's 
a  great  secret." 

A.11  the  rest  oi  the  afternoon,  Lydia  passed  seated 
at  the  window,  reading  the  poems  of  Ann  Brad- 
street  ;  and  sorry  was  she  when  at  length  it  grew 
too  dark  for  her  to  see  the  enchanting  page.  She 
then  closed  the  volume,  and  leaning  back  in  her 
chair,  gave  herself  up  to  reverie.  She  wondered 
what  her  father  might  be  doing  at  that  hour.  "  Per- 
haps," she  said  "  he's  thinking  of  me  and  wishing  I 
Avere  with  him."  But  the  log  cabin,  where  so  many 
of  her  years  had  been  spent,  did  not,  like  most 
homes,  inspire  her  with  pleasant  memories.     It  pre- 


176  KOMANOE   OV  THE 

sented  itself  to  her  mind  as  a  gloomy  abode,  the 
monotony  of  wliicli  would  have  been  unendurable, 
but  that  her  parent  inhabited  it.  Since  she  had 
come  to  Hartford,  the  world  seemed  to  have  grown 
larger.  There  was  no  longer  any  forest  to  bound 
her  vision,  she  was  dwelling  in  the  midst  of  news  ; 
Boston  was  much  nearer,  so  was  Sir  Edmund 
Andros,  and  as  she  thought  of  him,  she  wished  she 
had  been  born  a  man,  that  she  might  have  lent  her 
aid  to  strike  for  independence.  Then  her  thoughts 
turned  to  the  mysterious  map  which  she  had  seen 
on  Wadsworth's  table,  and  she  wished  that  she  had 
one  like  it  to  show  to  her  father.  "  He  might  then 
agree  with  me,"  she  said,  "  about  the  future  of 
America.  He  would  see  that  the  Republic,  as  the 
Charter  of  Connecticut  foreshadows,  will  extend  on 
the  west  even  to  the  Pacific  Ocean."  At  last  she 
reflected  on  how  brief  her  stay  in  the  settlement 
was  going  to  be  ;  the  wilderness  would  soon  close 
round  her  again  ;  she  would  go  back  to  her  Bible 
and  Pilgrim's  Progress,  and  have  only  the  occasional 
visits  of  Mad  x\.dams  to  enliven  her.  No  matter 
Avhat  stirring  events  might  happen,  in  the  log  cabin 
all  would  be  quiet  and  monotony.  Heretofore  her 
spirit  had  found  a  balm  in  constant  w^ork;  the 
spindle  and  distafl",  the  poultry,  attending  to  her 
little  dairy  had  partly  smothered  her  restlessness. 


CHARTER    OAK.  177 

Gould  slie  go  back  and  feel  resigned  to  lier  solitai-y 
fate? 

"  Oh  yes,"  slie  said  to  lierself,  not  however  with- 
out a  sigh,  "  I  can  bear  it  for  father's  sake."  Then 
she  prayed  that  God  might  let  her  forget  the  scene 
of  yesterday  in  the  forest.  To  keep  green  the 
memory  of  the  handsome  stranger  who  had  rescued 
her  from  the  wolves,  would  be  a  never-ending  pain. 
It  was  a  glorious  vision  which  would  never  return. 
But  even  as  she  prayed  to  forget  him,  his  face 
seemed  to  rise  up  before  her,  and  to  escape  it  she 
turned  and  gazed  at  the  embers  on  the  hearth. 
But  lo  !  there  it  was  again ;  nor  did  it  vanish  until 
Miss  Crabtree  threw  on  a  fresh  armful  of  hickory. 

At  this  moment  Wadsworth  emerged  from  his 
study,  clad  in  his  deerskin  jacket  and  heavy  top 
boots,  and  after  whispering  a  word  to  his  aunt, 
left  the  house,  followed  of  course  by  his  shadow. 

"  Joe,  Joe,"  murmured  the  old  lady,  as  the  door 
closed  behind  him,  "what  a  restless  being  you 
are  !  You'll  pass  half  the  night  trying  to  find  out 
what  became  of  those  strangers.  Why  can't  you 
w^ait  until  to-morrow  ?"  But  the  Captain  thought 
otherwise.  He  was  not  the  man  to  abandon  any 
clew  which  might  lead  to  the  discovery  of  Sir  Ed- 
mund's plans,  just  for  the  sake  of  a  quiet  evening 
at  home. 

If  Andros  flattered  himself  it  would  be  an  easv 


178  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

matter  to  rob  the  people  of  their  charter,  Joseph 
Wadsworth  would  teach  him  a  rude  lesson.  This 
evening  while  he  was  yet  out  on  his  reconnois>sance, 
an  angry  scene  took  place  in  the  bed  room  occupied 
by  Goody  Garlic  and  Lydia.  But  we  need  not 
dwell  upon  it.  The  girl  finally  yielded,  not  how- 
ever to  the  cross  looks  of  Miss  Crabtree,  but  to  the 
soft  entreaties  of  her  old  nurse. 

**  It  will  be  all  for  the  best,"  said  the  latter,  pat- 
ting her  shoulder,  "Yes,  all  for  the  best.  Curls 
are  forbidden,  and  surely  you'll  not  let  vanity  stand 
in  the  way  of  obedience  to  our  laws,  which  have 
been  inspired  by  the  Almighty." 

And  so  the  regicide's  daughter,  after  some  resis- 
tance, was  pushed  by  the  good- wife  into  the  ancient 
chair  in  which  more  than  one  Wadsworth  had 
breathed  his  last,  and  for  about  five  minutes  no- 
thing was  heard  in  that  frosty  apartment  but  the 
clipping  of  scissors ;  and  when  the  work  was  ac- 
complished, Prudence  gave  the  girl  a  kiss,  while 
Miss  Crab  tree,  filling  her  apron  with  the  golden 
spoils,  hastened  down  to  the  roaring  fire,  which  in 
an  instant  swallowed  them  up. 


BARTER   OAK.  179 


CHAPTEE  XII. 


Ir  was  exactly  midnight  when  Wadsworth  came 
home,  feeling  cold  and  not  in  the  best  of  moods,  by 
which  his  aunt,  who  had  not  yet  retired,  judged  that 
lie  had  been  unsuccessful  in  the  object  of  his  ex- 
pedition, and  when  she  asked  what  he  had  dis- 
covered regarding  the  strang(n's,  he  shook  his  head, 
and  answered,  "  very  little."  Then  after  warming 
his  hands,  he  went  on  to  tell  her  that  the  stranger 
whom  he  had  left  at  the  inn,  had  passed  the  night 
there.  "  His  comrade,"  he  added,  "  who  was  doubt- 
less a  bearer  of  dispatches  from  i^Jidros  to  Governor 
Treat,  I  traced  to  Mr.  Clark's  house  ;  tliey  both  de- 
parted at  daybreak."  With  this  he  opened  the 
door  of  his  study,  and  urged  his  aunt  not  to  sit  up 
any  longer.  "  You  must  be  tiied,"  he  said,  "  waiting 
for  me." 

"  Well  I  do  need  repose,"  answered  the  good 
woman,  "  but  not  half  so  much  as  yourself,  who 
rack  }  our  brains  from  morning  to  night,  whereas 
I  only  labor  with  my  hands.  Oh,  Joe  !  go  to  your 
couch  too.  How  can  you  help  looking  pale  and 
haggard,  when  you  don't  take  enough  sleep  ?" 

But  although  she  remained  some  minutes  at  the 
foot  of  the  staircase,  entreating  him,  he  refused  to 
follow  her  example  and  she  went  up  alone,  saying 


180  llOMANCE   OF  THE 

as  she  had  often  done  before,  "  what  a  strange, 
strange  being  !"  From  this  hour  until  bell-ringing, 
the  house  was  silent ;  every  body  slept  except  Wads- 
worth,  for  whom  this  night  was  to  be  the  most 
trying  in  his  life.  During  his  solitary  walk  through 
the  town,  he  had  pondered  seriously  his  late  con- 
duct, and  had  persuaded  himself  that  it  would 
bring  down  on  him  the  vengeance  of  God  ;  and 
this  belief  had  so  excited  him,  that  sleep  was  now 
impossible.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the  library  door 
closed,  he  extinguished  his  candle  and  falling  on 
his  knees,  began  to  pray.  He  beat  his  breast  and 
implored  the  Almighty  to  pardon  him  for  what  he 
had  done.  Six  years  had  passed  since  he  had 
made  a  vow  never  to  marry,  hoping  that  the  Lord, 
in  return  for  such  a  sacrifice,  would  help  him 
achieve  the  independence  of  the  colonies.  It  was 
a  strange  vow,  yet  in  keeping  with  those  strange 
fanatical  times.  Now,  had  he  not  broken  it,  at  least 
in  spirit  ?  Had  not  a  maiden  whom  he  had  known 
but  a  single  day  caused  him  to  fall  ?  Tears  rolled 
down  his  cheeks  as  he  reflected  on  his  weakness, 
and  in  this  cold,  pitch-dark  chamber,  he  remained 
hour  after  hour  praying  with  all  the  fervor  of  his 
soul.     Over  and  over  again  he  repeated  the  psalm 

0  Lord,  God  of  my  salvation,  I  Liavc  cried  day  aud  uiglit  be- 
fore Thee. 

Let  my  prayer  come  before  Thee,  incline  Thine  ear  unto  my  cry. 


CHARTER  OAK.  181 

For  my  soul  is  full  of  trouble,  and  luy  life  draweth  uigh  unlc 
the  grave. 

I  am  counted  with  thym  that  go  down  into  the  ])it,  I  am  a 
man  that  hath  no  strenfrth. 

Free  amoimg  the  dead  like  the  slain  that  lie  in  the  grave, 
whom  thou  remembcrest  no  more  ;  and  they  are  cut  off  from  Thy 
hand 

Thou  hast  laid  me  in  the  hnvest  pit—  in  darkness— in  the.  deeps. 

Nor  did  lie  rise  from  his  knees  until  the  Avatch- 
man's  bell  warned  hint  that  it  was  dajbreal^  He 
then  got  up,  feeling  renewed  strength  of  will,  and 
more  determined  than  ever  to  trample  his  passion 

under  foot he  even  smiled,  so  confident  was  he 

of  victory.  Then  lighting  his  candle,  he  w^ent  into 
tlie  other  room,  where  he  busied  himself  making 
the  fire,  and  he  was  thus  occupied  wlien  his  aunt 
came  down.  The  very  first  thing  the  loving  woman 
did  was  to  scan  his  countenance. 

"  Ah  Joe  !"  she  exclaimed,  "  I  don't  call  that 
being  kind  to  me.  One  might  suppose  you  had 
seen  a  ghost,  you  look  so  pale  ;  I'll  engage,  you 
havn'i  closed  your  eyes  since  I  left  you,  five  hours 
ago.  If  you  fall  sick  and  die,  what  would  become 
of  poor  Charity  Crabtree?  Oh,  my  boy,  do  not 
trifle  Avith  your  health ;  cease  your  fasting  and 
vigils  ;  turn  over  a  new  leaf  and  marry,  yes,  that  is 
my  solemn  advice.  It  makes  you  start,  but  I  repeat 
it,  marry.  A  wife  is  the  only  thing  that  will  soothe 
your  troubled  spirit,  and  make  you  cheerful  and 
contented." 


182  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  the  feelings  of 
the  Captain,  as  these  words  sounded  on  his  ear; 
his  first  impulse  was  to  drop  the  stick  of  wood  he 
was  carrying  and  rush  back  into  his  sanctum.  But 
just  at  that  moment,  Lydia  came  tripping  down  the 
staircase,  and  recognizing  her  footstep,  he  muttered 
a  prayer  and  boldly  turned  to  meet  her.  She  was 
changed*  since  the  evening  before  ;  every  curl  had 
disappeared,  and  yet  she  really  seemed  more  be- 
witching than  ever.  Her  joyous  countenance  pen- 
etrated like  a  flood  of  light  into  his  gloomy  soul, 
and  made  his  heart  beat  quicker.  Ah  !  it  was  a 
hard  trial,  but  he  did  not  give  way;  he  remembered 
the  solem/i  vow  he  had  made.  His  aunt  fancied 
that  his  /  :pression  was  less  austere  than  usual,  as 
he  bado  the  girl  good  morning ;  she  flattered  her- 
self he  ivas  taking  her  advice,  and  about  to  turn 
over  a  new  leaf. 

Alas,  she  was  catching  at  a  straw.  "That's 
right  Joe,  do  be  cheerful ;  remember  what  I  told 
you  a  mo/.  I'ut  ago,"  she  exclaimed,  pattmg  him  on 
the  back. 

L^'dia  h',\d  now  advanced  to  wdthin  a  few  feet  of 
him,  and  palling  an  apple  out  of  her  pocket : 

"  Ca})tain,"  she  said,  with  an  arch  smile,  and  a 
glance  at  her  nurse  who  was  following  her,  "  Goody 
Garlic  and  T  found  this  in  our  bed-room,  and  have 


CHARTEll   OAK.  183 

Lad  a  dispute  about  it.     I  say  it's  a  pippin,  she 
says  it  is  not ;     now,  which  of  us  is  right  ?" 

At  once  her  host  threw  down  his  stick  of  wood, 
and  bent  forward  to  examine  the  fruit. 

In  a  calmer  moment  he  might  have  decided  the 
question,  but  in  the  presence  of  the  tempter  his 
eyes  wandered  from  the  apple  to  the  little  white 
hand  which  held  it,  then  of  a  sudden  averting  his 
face,  he  folded  his  arms  and  murmured  something 
which  neither  Lydia  nor  the  old  maid  understood. 

"  Well,  answer  my  question,"  she  continued,  laugh 
ing. 

"  My  aunt  can  decide  that  trifling  matter,  I 
have  other  things  to  think  about,'*  he  replied, 
turning  slowly  towards  her  again.  Such  a  remark 
from  her  host  astonished  the  girl. 

"  I'm  sure,"  she  thought,  as  she  withdrew  to  one 
of  the  seats  in  the  chimney,  "  the  stranger  I  met  in 
the  forest  would  not  have  spoken  to  me  thus. 
What  have  I  done  to  oflend  ?". 

"  Joe  !"  said  Miss  Crabtree,  looking  reproachfully 
at  him,  "  Joe,  Joe  !"  But  Wadsworth  turned  a 
deaf  ear  to  her  words  ;  he  felt  conscious  of  having 
done  what  was  right,  and  with  the  air  of  one  who 
has  triumphed,  he  took  down  the  Bible  from  the 
slielf,  and  tapping  it  with  his  knuckles,  gave  the 
signal  for  prayers. 

.Now,  it  happened  that  t]je  part  of  the  scripture 


184:  i:(j:.iance  of  the  ' 

he  was  to  read  this  morning  was  the  29th  chapter 
of  Genesis,  wherein  is  related  how  Jacob  fell  in  love 
Avith  the  beautiful  E/achel ;  and  as  he  went  on  read- 
ing, his  aunt,  instead  of  bowing  her  head,  eyed  him 
closely ;  then  as  soon  as  he  had  finished,  she  ap- 
proached, and  with  her  mouth  to  his  ear,  "  Joe," 
she  whispered,  "  the  godly  men  of  old  took  wives, 
why  don't  you  follow  their  example  ?  what  ails  you 
that  you  hesitate  ?  If  you  want  to  please  me,  keep 
straight  on  until  you've  won  her." 

Without  making  any  reply  he  seated  himself  at 
table,  and  the  meal  which  followed  was  the  quietest 
Lydia  had  known  since  she  had  come  under  his 
roof.  He  did  not  speak  a  word,  nor  hardly  even 
eat  a  mouthful,  and  when  it  was  over  he  did  not 
light  his  pipe,  as  was  his  habit,  but  began  pacing 
up  and  down  the  room,  his  hands  behind  him,  evi- 
dently absorbed  in  meditation,  while  Lydia  helped 
Miss  Crabtree  and  the  servant  put  away  the  cups 
and  dishes.  Such  a  proof  of  an  industrious  spirit 
pleased  Charity  beyond  everything,  and  going  up  to 
her  nephew,  she  again  whispered :  "  Joe,  Miss 
Lydia  would  be  a  sunbeam ;  she'd  drive  away  the 
cloud  which  hangs  over  your  soul ;  tain't  natural 
to  be  a  bachelor;  one  gets  sour  and  morbid  ;  she 
thinks  as  you  do  about  Independence ;  why  don't 
you  go  ahead  and  win  her  ?" 

**'  A  great  end  requires  a  great  sacrifice,"  he  re- 


CHARTER   OAK.  185 

plied,  turning  from  her  and  resuming  his  walk. 
These  words  sorely  troubled  the  old  lady,  who  now 
had  little  doubt  that  his  mind  was  becoming  affect- 
ed, and  she  gave  such  a  sigh  that  Prudence  won- 
dered what  could  be  the  matter. 

At  length  the  last  cup  was  put  back  in  its  place 
and  Lydia  gazed  around  to  see  what  else  was  to  be 
done.  But  Miss  Crabtree,  who  had  read  her 
thoughts,  told  her  she  should  not  do  another  stitch 
of  work  as  long  as  she  remained  in  the  house. 

"  Go,"  she  said,  "  aud  enjoy  yourself  in  the  li- 
brary ;  I  know  you're  fond  of  books." 

*'  So  I  am,"  said  Lydia,  "  and  there  is  a  map 
there  Avhich  I  would  like  to  examine  again.  May 
I  go?"  here  she  turned  towards  Wadsworth. 

"  Certainly,"  replied  the  latter.  Then,  after  a 
pause,  and  to  her  regret,  he  added  that  he  would 
accompany  her.  The  victory  which  he  had  achiev- 
ed over  himself  had  given  him  renewed  confidence 
in  his  strength,  and  he  no  longer  feared  to  be  alone 
with  this  fascinating  creature.  "  She  shall  not,  if  I 
can  prevent  it,  remain  out  of  the  fold,"  he  said  to 
himself.  "  I  will  give  her  the  Assembly  Catechism 
to  read,  and  if  she  feels  disposed  to  listen,  I  will 
endeavor  to  change  her  views  about  stocks  and 
whipping-posts." 

As  soon  as  the  door  closed  behind  them,  Charity 
gave  Prudence  a  wink,  and  at  the  same  time  ex- 


186  EOMAIICE   OF   THE 

claimed :  "  What  a  precious  flower  she  is !  Oh,  if 
jou  only  knew  how  happj  she'll  soon  be." 

"Without  lier  father?"  said  Prudence,  "impos- 
sible !  Although  she  laughs  and  talks  cheerfully 
enough,  I  know  she  is  anxious  to  return  to  the  log 
cabin,  where  she'd  be  willing  to  pass  all  her  days 
unmarried,  and  among  wolves  and  panthers,  just 
for  his  sake  ;  and  ere  this  week  is  out,  she'll  be 
begging  me  to  go  back." 

"  Well,  the  Lord  will  bless  her  for  keeping  the 
fifth  commandment.  Oh,  Prudence,  if  you  only 
knew  something  !" 

"  Knew  what  ?     Do  speak  plain  !" 

Her  friend  paused  a  moment.  "Well,  I  don't 
suppose  there's  any  harm  in  telling  you,"  she 
whisjDered,  "  but  remember,  dear,  it's  in  the  strict- 
est confidence,  and  you  musn't  breathe  a  word  of  it 
to  anybody." 

"  Not  a  syllable.  Charity,  not  a  syllable." 

"  Well,  then,  her  stay  here  is  to  be  a  happy  one: 
Colonel  Goffe  is  coming  to  live  with  us.  Ah !  this 
news  astonishes  you  ;  but  it's  true  as  Gospel ;  I  get 
it  from  Joe." 

"  Oh,  my,  my !  The  child'll  jump  as  high  as 
the  ceiling,"  cried  Goody  Garlic.  "Pray,  when 
may  we  expect  the  old  gentleman  ?" 

"  To-morrow,  if  this  fine  weather  holds  ;  Adams 


CHARTER  OAK.  187 

was  advised  to  bring  him  down  the  river  as  soon 
as  possible." 

Let  us  now  leave  them  talking  together,  and  fol- 
low Wadsworth  and  his  young  guest  into  the  next 
room 

As  soon  as  Lydia  had  seated  herself,  the  Captain 
took  the  Assembly  Catechism  off  the  shelf,  and  in 
a  tone  of  authority  bade  her  read  with  him  a  few 
pages. 

"  Why,  sir,"  she  exclaimed,  "  I'm  not  yet  through 
with  Ann  Bradstreet's  poems,  and  when  I  am,  there 
are  other  volumes  in  your  collection  more  interest- 
ing than  that  one^  which,  from  what  I  have  seen  of 
it,  appears  dry  and  stupid." 

At  these  w^ords  her  host  groaned,  but  mastering 
his  indignation,  he  went  on  urging  her  to  peruse  it. 

"  Will  it  do  me  any  good,*  sir  ?"  she  asked,  with  a 
roguish  smile. 

"  Yes,  Miss,  the  greatest  good.  Tell  me,  are 
you  at  peace  here  ?  Is  your  soul  at  ease  ?"  As  he 
spoke  he  placed  his  hand  upon  his  breast. 

Lydia  laughed.  "  My  soul,  sir,  has  never  given 
me  the  least  trouble — I  say  my  prayers  every  night 
before  goiijg  to  bed — I  sleep  soundly — always  have 
pleasant  dreams  ;  in  the  morning  I  pray  again  ; 
as  for  ni}-  appetite,  it  could  not  be  better,  while 
melanchol}'  is  a  thing  I  know  nothing  about.  How- 
ever, to  please  you,  I  will  read  the  book." 


188  ROMAHUE   OF  THE 

"It  would  please  me  very  mncli,  for  it  is  the 
bounden  duty  of  every  one  who  lias  owned  the 
covenant  to  bring  into  the  fold  those  who  are  out 
of  it." 

"Thanks,  sir,  for  the  interest  you  take  m  my 
welfare."  Then  after  a  pause,  "  I'll  tell  you  what 
I'll  do,  Mr.  Wadsworth,  I'll  promise  to  study  the 
catechism  from  beginning  to  end,  if  you'll  only  let 
me  off  from  it  now,  and  give  me  instead  an  oral 
instruction  in  church  matters ;  and  when  you  have 
done  that,  you  might  go  on  and  tell  me  something 
about  the  government  of  these  colonies,  for  Adams 
has  never  gone  into  details,  and  I  have  been  left  a 
great  deal  to  my  imagination." 

"  I  will,"  he  said,  placing  the  catechism  in  her 
hand ;  "  but  as  you  value  my  feelings,  never  again 
call  this  a  dry  and  stupid  volume." 

The  girl  nodded,  and  her  host  folding  his  arms 
and  leaning  against  the  table,  thus  began  :  "  I  will 
first  inform  you,  that  the  people  of  Hartford  have 
not  always  enjoyed  harmony  in  religious  matters. 
In  the  year  1670,  we  divided  on  the  question  of 
baptism,  and  the  consequence  was  the  erection  of  a 
second  house  of  worship,  namely,  that  large  edifice 
on  the  south  side  of  Little  river ;  and  as  tlie  laws 
of  Connecticut  declare  that  dissenters  from  the 
Congregational  order,  piovided  they  are  orthodox 
on  the  fundamentals  of  Christianity,  may  live  and 


CilAllTER   OAK.  189 

svorsliip  undisturbed,  I  would  not  marvel  if  before 
long  there  were  other  divisions.  To  form  a 
church,  Miss,  it  is  necessary  that  a  certain  number 
of  people  assemble  and  draw  up  a  covenant  to 
which  they  promise  adherance.  Let  me  read  you 
a  co]^y  of  ours  : 

"  111  the  name  of  our  Lord  God,  and  in  obediance  to  His  holy 
will  and  divine  ortliunuces,  we,  whose  names  are  here  written, 
being  by  His  most  wise  and  good  Providence  brought  together, 
!ind  desirous  to  unite  ourselves  into  one  congregation  or  church, 
under  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  our  Head,  in  such  sort  as  becometh 
all  those  whom  He  hath  redeemed  and  sanctified  unto  himself : — ■ 
do  hereby  .solemnly  and  religiously,  as  in  His  most  hely  presence- 
promise  and  bind  ourselves  to  walk  in  all  our  ways,  according  to 
the  rules  of  the  gospel  ;  and  in  all  sincere  conformity  to  His  holy 
ordinances,  and  in  mutual  love  and  respect  to  each  other,  so 
near  as  God  will  give  us  grace." 

"  Each  church,"  he  continued,  "has  a  pastor  chosen 
by  the  people,  whose  duty  it  is  to  break  the  flinty 
heart  by  his  exhortations  ;  then  we  have  a  teacher, 
on  whom  it  rests  to  explain  and  defend  the  doc- 
trines of  Chrifetianity  and  to  prepare  the  young  for 
church  fellowship  ;  we  have  a  Ruling  Elder  who 
goeth  from  house  to  house  like  a  good  angel,  keep- 
ing watch  over  the  brethren  and  sisters-and  let  mo 
say  that  Israel  Barebones,  widely  as  he  differs 
from  me  in  regard  to  revolution  and  independence, 
is  a  model  Ruling  Elder.  Lastly,  there  are  two 
Deacons,  whose  duty  it  is  to  provide  for  the  poor 
of  the  parish  and  manage  its  secular  affairs.  A 
woman  may  hold  this  office.     The  Church  of  the 


190  KOMANCE   OF  THE 

Pilgrims  at  Amsterdam,  before  they  emigrated,  had 
a  deaconess.  I  will  also  inform  jou  that  we  hold 
the  right  of  disciplining  onr  members  without  the 
interference  of  the  General  Court  or  of  a  synod. 
As  for  episcopac}^,  from  the  independent  spirit  of 
our  i^eople,  I  venture  to  predict,  it  will  never  take 
root  amongst  us."  Here  he  paused  a  moment,  per- 
haps in  order  to  give  his  guest  time  to  digest  what 
he  had  been  saying,  then  went  on  :  "  The  salary, 
of  the  pastor  of  the  first  meeting-house,  where  aunt 
and  I  worshij),  is  sixty  pounds  a  year,  two-thirds  of 
which  is  paid  in  provisions  and — "  here  another 
pause,  for  on  glancing  at  the  girl,  he  found  her 
eyes  fastened  upon  the  map,  which  interested  her 
now  even  more  than  the  first  time  she  had  seen  it. 
The  great  lakes,  of  which  she  had  never  yet  heard 
any  one  speak,  filled  her  with  wonder  ;  so  did  the 
Mississippi,  the  Missouri,  the  South  Sea,  wdiicli 
was  to  bound  the  future  republic  on  the  west.  She 
carefully  noted  the  different  settlements  scattered 
at  unequal  distances  from  each  other,  between  the 
Penobscot  and  the  Hudson — about  midway,  closely 
grouped  together,  at  the  extremities  of  the  rugged 
coast  line  further  apart,  and  with  tide-water  reaching 
nearly  all  of  them  ;  while  the  surrounding  and 
intervening  countr}^  had  been  dotted  by  the  mys- 
terious hand  which  had  diawn  the  chart  with  arrow 
heads,  "as   a   sign,"  she  thought,  "that  Indians 


CHAUTEU   OAK.  191 

roamed  over  it."  Yes,  all  tliis  intcrestoJ  her  hix 
more  than  church  matters. 

"  I  will  say  nothing  further  about  our  religious 
organization,"  resumed  the  Captain,  slightly  frown- 
ing ;  "  I  hope  you  have  been  paying  attention,  but 
from  the  direction  of  your  eyes,  I  fear  your  interest 
has  not  been  much  excited." 

"  Oh,  I  beg  pardon,  sir,  my  ears  do  not  always 
follow  my  eyes,"  answered  Lydia,  "  but  since  you 
have  done  talking  of  the  Church,  please  tell  me 
something  about  our  Civil  Government,  which  1 
have  heard  you  remark  is  closely  bound  up  with 
it." 

"  With  pleasure,  Miss,  with  pleasure ;  only  you 
must  pay  attention.  To  begin,  let  me  inform  you 
that  the  charter  granted  to  this  colony,  in  1662, 
leaves  us  free  to  make  all  our  own  laws,  except  such 
as  are  contrary  to  the  laws  and  statutes  of  the 
realm  of  England ;  nor  does  the  instrument  even 
enjoin  us  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  and 
supremacy,  although  two  assistants  were  empower- 
ed to  administer  it.  Being  thus  left  to  manage  our 
local  affairs,  until  recently,  when,  as  you  know, 
Andros  has  undertaken  to  rule  us,  we  have  gone  far 
ahead  of  Europe  in  self  government.  The  unit  of 
our  political  system  is  the  township,  which  draws 
its  vitality  direct  from  the  people,  who,  without  any 
ceremony,  come  together  to  discuss  public  matters  ; 


102  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

and  the  freemen  consider  it  a  home  duty  to  be 
present  at  town  meetings.  The  administrative 
power  of  the  township  is  vested  chiefly  in  a  small 
number  of  persons,  called  selectmen,  which  name 
originated  as  follows  :  In  1639  the  Eeverend  Mr. 
Davenport  directed  the  brethern  who  were  forming 
themselves  into  a  church  at  New  Haven,  to  select 
eleven  of  the  most  godly  men,  as  a  nomination  for 
Church  pillars,  that  there  might  be  no  blemish  in 
Church  work.  These  were  to  choose  seven  among 
themselves,  because  the  Proverb  tells  us,  '  Wisdom 
hath  hewn  out  her  seven  pillars.'  Now,  our  civil 
and  ecclesiastical  affairs  being  so  closely  united,  we 
have  not  hesitated  to  apply  the  same  distinctive 
appellation  to  a  civil  officer  of  the  community.  The 
selectmen  alone  have  the  right  to  call  a  town  meet- 
ing, but  if  ten  voters  demand  one  they  cannot  re- 
fuse. We  also  have  constables  to  keep  the  peace  ; 
a  town  clerk,  whose  business  it  is  to  record  town 
notes,  grants,  births,  marriages,  deaths ;  an  as- 
sessor, who  rates  the  township  ;  a  collector,  who 
receives  the  rate  ;  a  treasurer,  who  keeps  the  funds  ; 
a  road-surveyor  ;  a  timber  measurer ;  a  sealer  of 
weights  and  measures  ;  fire  wards,  who  direct  what 
to  do  in  case  of  a  fire ;  one  or  more  fence  viewers, 
;iiid  several  other  officials,  all  chosen  by  the  free- 
men, and  any  one  refusing  to  accept  office  is 
punished  by  a  fine  of  forty  shillings." 


CHARTER  OAK.  193 

Lydia,  whose  attention  had  been  closely  riveted 
jn  the  speaker,  here  exclaimed,  "  how  interesting !" 

Wadsworth  gave  an  approving  nod,  then  con- 
tinued :  "  After  the  township,  the  county  was 
formed ;  but  as  it  is  merely  a  territorial  divi- 
sion without  any  political  existence,  and  simply  in- 
tended for  the  better  administration  of  justice,  I 
will  go  on  and  speak  of  the  commonwealth.  Our 
charter  ordaineth  that  twice  a  year,  namely,  in  May 
and  October,  the  people  shall  have  a  chance  of  ex- 
pressing their  will  as  a  community,  through  repre- 
sentatives in  an  Assembly,  or  as  it  is  sometimes 
called,  a  General  Court.  This  consists  of  the 
Go\ernor,  Deputy  Governor,  assistants  and  depu- 
ties ;  twelve  of  the  former,  elected  by  the  people 
at  large,  while  the  latter  are  chosen  by  the  towns, 
three  from  each.  With  us,  the  two  branches  of  the 
Legislature  act  together  and  are  not  yet  divided, 
as  in  the  other  colonies,  into  separate  houses.  At 
elections,  Miss,  we  use  beans  and  Indian  corn  ;  the 
corn  signifying  an  affirmative  vote,  beans  the  con- 
trary, while  to  enjoy  the  franchise  it  is  necessary  to 
be  twenty- one  years  of  age,  own  real  estate  to  the 
amount  of  twenty  pounds,  and  be  recommended  to 
the  General  Court  by  the  selectmen,  as  honest, 
peaceable,  and  of  civil  conversation." 

"  Oh,  how  interesting,"  again  said  Lydia.  "  Why, 


194  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

Mr.  Waclswortli,  it  seems  we  already  enjoy  almost 
perfect  liberty." 

"  We  do,  and  hence  the  King  has  taken  the 
alarm  and  sent  over  Andros  to  clip  our  wings,  lest 
we  Hy  away  altogether.  But  now,  let  me  go  on 
and  speak  of  something  which  is  full  as  dear  to 
me  as  my  native  colony.  I  mean  the  Union.  You 
must  know  that  as  long  ago  as  1637,  Connecticut 
proposed  to  the  other  Plantations  that  they  should 
form  a  confederacy,  the  chief  object  of  which 
should  be  greater  security  against  Indians.  Six 
years  later,  commissioners  met  from  New  Haven, 
Plymouth,  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  and 
agreed  upon  certain  articles  of  union.  We  were 
to  be  called  the  United  Colonies  of  New  England  ; 
and  two  freemen  from  each  Plantation  were  to  be 
appointed  to  look  after  the  general  defence,  and 
such  matters  as  concerned  all."  Here  Wads  worth 
opened  the  table  drawer,  and  taking  out  a  sheet  of 
paper,  read  the  following  words  of  the  Preamble  to 
the  articles  of  Confederation  :  "  We,  therefore,  do 
conceive  it  our  bounden  duty  without  delay,  to  en- 
ter into  a  present  consociation  among  ourselves, 
for  mutual  health  and  strength  in  all  our  future 
concernments,  that  as  in  nation  and  in  religion,  so  in 
other  respects,  we  be  and  continue  One."  "  This," 
said  he,  "  I  often  read  over  to  myself,  for  it  inspires 
me  with  hope.     The  old  confederation  was  dissolved 


CHARTER  OAK.  195 

by  tlie  absorption  of  New  Haven  into  Connecticut^ 
but  it  was  revived,  in  1672,  by  Massachusetts,  Con- 
necticut and  Plymouth,  and  still  exists,  and  with 
God's  help  will  prove  the  germ  of  something  great- 
er. I  regret,  however,  that  the  people  do  not  take 
the  same  interest  in  it  which  they  formerly  did, 
the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  not  hav- 
ing met  since  September,  1684.  But,  thank  God, 
Sir  Edmund  Andros  has  arrived  !  He  will  wake  us 
up,  and  light  with  his  own  hand  the  fire  of  inde- 
pendence." 

"  Yes,  yes,  he  will,"  cried  Lydia  witli  enthusiasm. 
"  But  pray,  how  happens  it  that  this  colony,"  turn- 
ing to  the  map,  and  placing  her  finger  on  Khode 
Island,  "  does  not  belong  to  the  confederation  ?" 

"  Because,  its  people,  always  hard-hearted  and 
conceited,  preferred  t(^  be  by  themselves.  I 
never  liked  them.  For  years  they  have  tried  to 
quarrel  with  Connecticut  about  the  Narragansett 
country,  over  which  they  wrongfully  claim  jurisdic- 
tion. I  trust,  however,  that  when  the  eleventh 
hour  comes,  Khode  Island  will  not  be  found  want- 
ing. Why,  even  in  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  down 
in  the  Carolinas  ,where,  last  autumn,  I  dispatched 
Adams  to  obtain  information  as  to  the  temper  of 
the  people,  there  are  brave  hearts  willing  to  join 
with  us  in  striking  for  independence.  There  is  only 
one  thing  I  fear,  namely,  that  England  will  depose 


196  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

King  James  and  place  a  more  liberal  monarch  on 
the  throne.  Thiit  might  spoil  my  game,  for  the 
freemen  would  then  care  less  about  separating  from 
the  mother  country." 

"  But  the  seed  which  you  have  sown  would  not 
perish,"  said  Lydia ;  "  if  your  dream  be  not  real- 
ized in  this  generation,  it  will  in  the  next." 

"  When  I  am  under  ground,"  sighed  Wadsworth  ; 
"oh,  life  is  too  short." 

"  It  is,  sir,  it  is  ;  and  how  fast  the  years  fly." 

A  look,  inexpressibly  sad,  now  stole  over  the 
countenance  of  her  host,  who,  for  several  minutes 
did  not  open  his  lips  ;  then  glancing  at  his  watch 
he  remarked  that  it  was  almost  noon. 

"  Another  day  half  gone,"  he  exclaimed. 

"  Yes,"  said  Lydia,  "  another  day  half  gone. 
In  a  short  while  I  will  l^e  with  dear  father  again. 
But  never  will  I  forget  this  morning's  conversation, 
and  I  shall  look  for  the  visits  of  Mad  Adams  with 
greater  impatience  than  ever." 

Had  she  known  the  joyful  surprise  which  was  in 
store  for  her,  we  believe,  with  Goody  Garlic,  that 
she  would  have  jumped  as  high  as  the  ceiling. 

"  It  must  be  near  dinner  time,"  she  went  on, 
rising  from  her  chair. 

"  Yes,  it  is.  But  before  we  go  into  tlie  other 
room  let  me  talk  to  you  a  little  about  stocks  and 


CHARTER   OAK.  197 

wliipping-posts,  which  you  seem  to  view  with  so 
much  horror." 

Drawing  b^vrk  a  step,  Lyclia  eyed  him  a  moment 
with  a  saucy  air,  then  with  emphasis,  "  talk,"  she 
said,  "  to  my  aunt  about  such  things ;  I  would 
rather  not  trouble  my  head  with  them." 

"  She's  paying  me  back  for  my  gruff  behavior 
this  morning,"  thought  Wadsworth ;  "  but  I'll 
persevere  and  on  another  occasion  will  broach  the 
subject,  a  being  like  her  must  not  go  astray." 

"  But  before  I  take  another  meal,"  continued 
Lydia,  in  a  firm  voice,  and  as  if  she  expected  some 
opposition,  "  I  want  to  sweep  this  room." 

To  her  surprise,  her  host  shrugged  his  shoulders 
and  walked  towards  the  door ;  then  with  his  hand 
upon  the  knob,  he  turned,  and  gave  her  a  look,  the 
meaning  of  which  she  could  not  fathom  — while 
his  eyebrows  lowered,  there  was  something  in  his 
expression  almost  pathetic. 

"  You  ma}^  stay  away  twenty  minutes,"  she  con- 
tinued, still  assuming  an  air  of  authority ;    "now. 

go."  ^ 

He  obeyed,  and  as  he  passed  out,  the  girl  made 
a  sign  to  Goody  Garlic,  who  quickly  slipped  hei 
the  broom.  No  sooner  did  Miss  Crabtree  hear  her 
nephew's  step,  than  she  turned  from  the  fi}"e  where 
she  was  busy  preparing  a  stew,  and  with  a  broad 
grin,  clapped  her  greasy  palm  on  his  shoulder  and 


198  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

told  liim  tliat  God  would  bless  liim  for  tarning 
over  a  new  leaf.  But  Wadswortli's  frown  quickly 
dispelled  her  liopes.  "  Why  tempt  me,  aunt  ?"  he 
said,  "  to  swerve  from  the  path  !  why  do  you  stand 
side  by  side  with  Beelzebub  ?" 

"  Lord,  Joe  !  what  has  come  over  you  ?"  cried 
the  good  w^oman,  who  in  her  anxiety  paid  no  heed 
to  the  presence  of  dame  Garlic.  "  Are  you 
possessed  ?  Marry,  my  boy,  marry ;  only  a  wife 
can  save  you." 

"  All  flesh  is  grass  !"  was  his  solemn  response. 
"  Would  you  have  me,  for  the  sake  of  a  woman,  no 
matter  how  beautiful,  jeopardize  the  glorious  end 
I  have  in  view  ?"  Here  his  aunt  turned  from  him 
and  wiped  away  a  tear.  During  the  next  twenty 
minutes  he  looked  several  times  at  his  watch,  and 
as  he  heard  the  broom  at  work  he  could  not  help 
grinding  his  teeth  ;  yes,  it  was  dreadful  to  think  of 
his  pens  hidden  in  some  out  of  the  way  place,  the 
map  rolled  up  and  stowed  dear  knows  where,  per- 
haps in  one  of  his  boots,  and  every  thing  so 
arranged,  that  it  would  take  at  least  a  month  to 
feel  at  home  again  in  his  sanctum.  "  Oh,  woman, 
woman,"  he  muttered,  "  if  w^e  could  only  do  without 
you,  but  we  cannot.  I  am  like  a  piece  of  dough  in 
the  hands  of  this  maiden,  Avhom  I  have  scarcely 
known  forty-eight  hours." 

At   length    the    door   opened,   and   Lydia   with 


CHARTER   OAK.  199 

a  smile  invited  liim  to  enter  and  see  what  had  been 
accoitiplished.  She  might  have  remained  and 
accompanied  him  in  his  inspection,  had  not  Miss 
Crab  tree  thrown  her  arms  about  her  neck  and  pre- 
vented her. 

"Oh,  darHng,"  whispered  the  aunt,  "I  cannot  but 
tliink  Providence  has  sent  you  here  for  a  wise  pur- 
pose ;  you  mustn't  mind  any  thing  my  Joe  says  to 
you  ;  he's  not  as  cross  as  he  looks,  and  his  heart 
isn't  what  his  tongue  would  make  him  out.  You're 
a  jewel,  dear,  a  jewel  and  he  knows  it,  and  is  going 
to  make  you  jump  for  joy,  in  a  day  or  two.  Oh, 
Lj'dia,  if  you  only  knew  something  !" 

"Well,  what?"  said  the  girl,  puzzled  by  this 
remark. 

"  Oh,  it's  a  secret,  I  can't  tell,  but  you'll  jump  for 
joy,  3'ou  will,  you  will." 

Wadsworth  in  the  meanwhile,  had  glided  into  his 
study,  and  Avas  darting  his  eyes  right  and  left. 
What  a  change,  to  be  sure !  The  floor  sprinkled 
with  clean  white  sand,  was  a  pleasure  to  look  upon; 
the  cobwebs  in  the  corners  had  all  disappeared  ; 
the  sword  hanging  above  his  boots  was  ever  so 
much  brighter  ;  the  map  was  still  unrolled  on  tho 
table  ;  his  papers  neatly  sorted,  and  the  copy  of  the 
charter  Avhere  it  had  always  been.  In  fact,  there 
was  no  fault  to  be  found.  Moreover,  the  window 
gave  a  great  deal  more  light,  it  being  no  longer  fly- 


200  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

blown,  and  as  lie  gazed  out  and  saw  tlie  hills  be- 
yond the  Connecticut,  he  wondered  at  his  folly, 
in  having  for  so  many  years  deprived  himself  of 
this  beautiful  view.  "  This  room  was  indeed  a  den," 
he  said,  "  now  it's  a  little  paradise." 

Presently  dinner  was  announced,  and  when 
Wadsworth  came  to  the  table,  he  looked  so  pleased 
that  his  aunt's  top-knot  could  not  keej)  still.  Twice 
during  the  meal,  he  paid  Lydia  a  compliment :  he 
told  her  he  would  allow  no  other  person  but  her  to 
enter  his  library,  and  that  she  was  the  only  woman 
he  knew  who  could  stow  things  away  without  hid- 
ing them. 

At  all  this  the  girl  laughed  and  made  merry; 
but  her  pride  was  none  the  less  gratified  to  see 
this  stern  man  bowing  before  her.  She  had  not, 
however,  been  altogether  pleased  by  Miss  Crabtree's 
mysterious  words,  when  the  latter  had  thrown  her 
arms  around  her  neck.  "  If  she  means,"  thought 
Lydia,  that  I  am  to  be  made  happy  by  his  choosing 
me  for  his  wife,  she'll  find  herself  mistaken.  I'd 
not  leave  father  alone  in  the  wilderness  for  the 
richest  and  greatest  man  in  New  England  ;  this 
very  week  I'll  go  back  to  the  log  cabin." 

During  the  afternoon  Miss  Crabtree  proposed 
that  Wadsworth  should  take  his  guest  another  ride 
through  the  town. 

But  to  her  disappointment  he  made  no  answer, 


CHARTER   OAK.  20l 

while  the  girl  assured  them  both,  she  would  rather 
go  a-foot,  adding  that  Prudence  Garlic  had  not  as 
yet  seen  any  thing  of  Hartford,  and  she  wanted 
the  latter  to  accompany  them.  Now,  the  goodwife 
could  not  a  second  time  plead  headache,  as  an  ex- 
cuse for  remaining  behind ;  so,  after  Charity  had 
pulled  her  nephew's  sleeve,  and  whispered  a  few 
words  in  his  ear,  they  all  started  off  together.  They 
had  not  proceeded  many  steps,  however,  before  the 
aunt  seized  Dame  Garlic  by  the  arm  and  held  her 
back,  thus  giving  the  Captain  and  the  girl  a  chance 
to  pass  ahead.  During  the  promenade,  which  ex- 
tended as  far  as  Wyllys'  hill.  Miss  Crab  tree  stopped 
at  least  a  dozen  times  to  chat  with  people,  and 
whenever  she  did  she  would  beckon  to  Lydia  and 
introduce  her  as  Prudence's  niece; and  it  was  evi- 
dent from  the  way  the  dame  spoke  that  she  took 
pride  in  showing  off  her  young  guest,  whose  tall, 
graceful  figure  and  handsome  countenance  charmed 
every  body.  Once  or  twice  the  girl's  heai?t  throb- 
bed, as  she  fancied  she  caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
stranger  whom  she  had  met  on  her  journey  down 
the  river,  and  w^ho  had  left  so  deep  an  impression 
upon  her ;  but  on  a  nearer  view  she  was  always 
disappointed.  Miles  kept  with  them  as  far  as  Mr. 
Clark's  house ;  there,  however,  he  halted,  and  after 
giving  his  master  a  stare  so  peculiar  and  full  of 
meaning,  that  Lydia  was  struck  by  it,  and  again 


202  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

declared  her  belief  that  the  creature  had  a  soul,  he 
passed  through  the  gate,  and  in  a  moment  was 
scratching  at  the  door  for  admittance.  Wadsworth 
did  not  call  the  dog  back,  but  his  face  became  sud- 
denly grave,  while  his  aunt,  who  was  close  behind 
told  him,  if  she  had  her  way  she  would  either  whip 
the  brute  to  death  if  it  persisted  in  going  there ; 
"  or  else,"  lowering  her  voice,  "  I'd  make  Nancy 
take  Miles  back.  It  was  an  unlucky  gift,  Joe,  and 
if  you  want  to  please  me  and  turn  over  a  new  leaf, 
you'll  get  rid  of  your  '  shadow.'  " 


CHAPTEP  VIII. 

Nathaniel  Clark,  who  dwelt  in  the  stone  mansion, 
j^outh  of  Little  river,  was  the  son  of  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Hartford.  His  father  had  belong- 
ed to  a  good  family  of  Yorkshire,  England,  and  in 
ea,/ly  life  had  held  a  position  of  trust  under  the 
government.  But  having  married  a  lady  without 
fortune,  he  had  crossed  the  Atlantic  and  sought  a 
new  home  in  Connecticut,  where  land  was  to  be 
had  for  nothing,  and  where  it  would  cost  far  less  to 
bring  up  his  children  than  in  the  mother  country. 

Here  his  wife  had  borne  him  four  sons,  of  whom 
the  eldest  had  been  named  Nathaniel,  after  him- 


CHARTER   OAK.  203 

Belf;aud  all  had  been  o^  agreeable  dispositions, 
excepting  the  first  born,  who  when  yet  a  mere  child 
had  taken  a  strange  delight  in  telling  tales  on  his 
playmates,  stoning  his  father's  turkeys,  and  sousing 
the  house  cat  in  the  water  barrel.  So  unruly  did 
lie  become,  that  no  pedagogue  was  ever  able  to 
make  him  study,  and  he  grew  up  without  knowing 
how  to  write,  while  his  reading  was  very  imperfect. 
When  in  the  course  of  years  the  emigrant's  boys 
came  to  manhood,  the  present  solid  building  was 
erected  on  the  site  of  the  log  cabin  where  Mr. 
Clark  had  first  dwelt,  and  he  and  his  wife  looked 
forward  to  spending  under  its  roof  many  happy 
days. 

But  one  of  those  fearful  visitations  of  small- 
pox, which,  in  that  century,  often  ravaged  New 
England,  swept  away  the  whole  family,  leaving 
only  the  oldest  son.  "  How  mysterious  are  the 
ways  of  Providence,"  was  on  the  lips  of  every  body, 
when  they  saw  the  least  worthy  spared  and  enjoy- 
ing all  to  himself,  the  fruit  of  his  father's  labor. 
Nathaniel's  good  fortune,  however,  did  not  end 
here  ;  it  followed  him  in  the  matter  of  getting  a 
wife,  and  among  the  maidens  of  Hartford  he  won 
the  best,  if  not  the  most  beautiful.  Every  one 
liked  Nancy  Briggs,  and  wheir  the  news  fiew  round 
that  she  had  accepted  him,  the  v/hole  town  was 
amazed.     But  turning  a  deaf  ear   to   all  that  was 


204  KOMANCE   OF  THE 

said  against  her  lover,  she  married  him,  and  for  a 
number  of  years  no  couple  lived  in  greater  har- 
mony. 

But  at  length  Mr.  Clark  left  off  going  to  meeting 
on  the  sabbath,  and  openly  avowed  himself  a  be- 
liever in  episcopacy.  He  even  went  so  far  as  to  ex- 
press a  hope,  that  the  King  might  use  his  authority 
to  foster  and  protect  Common  Prayer  worship ; 
and  when  we  consider  that  not  another  person  in 
the  community  agreed  with  him,  this  open  way  of 
speaking  proved  him  to  be  a  man  of  no  ordinary 
courage.  His  wife's  entreaties  were  of  no  avail ; 
he  not  only  refused  to  go  to  meeting  himself  but 
even  did  his  best  to  prevent  her  doing  so.  In  this 
however,  he  was  not  successful.  But  from  thence- 
forth the  good  woman's  life  was  very  unhappy  ; 
and  when  she  died,  those  Avho  knew  her  best,  said 
it  was  of  a  broken  heart.  That,  however,  may  have 
been  only  gossip  ;  let  us  do  the  widower  the  justice 
to  declare  that  he  spared  no  expense  to  make  her 
funeral  an  imposing  one,  as  the  reader  may  judge 
from  the  following  items  : 

1  barrel  of  Wine £6     8  0 

2  barrels  Cider 0110 

82  lbs.  sugar 2     10 

4  dozen  pairs  Gloves 5     40 

Moreover,  when  the  earth  was  being  shoveled 
upon  her  coffin,  he  knelt  down  and  evinced  every 
sign  of  grief.     Soon  after  Mrs.  Clark  had  passed  to 


CHARTER   OAK.  205 

a  better  world,  a  cliange  quite  unaccountable  came 
over  her  only  offspring,  Nancy,  then  seventeen 
years  of  age.  During  her  mother's  life  time,  the 
young  woman  had  always  accompanied  her  to 
meeting  on  the  Sabbath  and  lecture  days  ;  but  now 
she  began  to  absent  herself,  and  the  tithing  man, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  spy  oat  those  who  stayed 
away,  used  to  see  her  wandering  on  the  outer  edge 
of  the  green,  or  perhaps  along  the  bank  of  the 
river,  while  the  rest  of  the  people  were  at  prayer. 
"What  ails  the  girl?"  one  would  ask. 
"  Beelzebub  is  working  at  her  soul,"  would  be 
the  suggestive  response  of  some  other  busy  body. 
"  Why  does  not  Mr.  Japheth  make  a  complaint  ?" 
a  third  would  say. 

"  Alas  !"  would  be  the  ruling  elder's  exclamation, 
"  passing  laws  is  easier  than  enforcing  them  ;"  while 
Jacob  Japheth,  whenever  he  was  spoken  to  on  the 
subject,  was  sure  to  throw  the  blame  on  his  blind 
eye.  Little  did  the  people  know  how  it  really 
stood  with  Nancy  Clark ;  how,  during  her  lonely 
walks  on  the  Sabbath,  she  was  praying  more  fer- 
vently than  many  who  were  at  meeting,  and  that  it 
was  in  obedience  to  her  father's  wishes  that  she 
separated  herself  from  the  congregation.  Nor,  after 
her  mother's  death,  was  she  ever  met  at  any  husk- 
ing party  or  quilting,  and  the  gossips  were  sorely 
put  to  it  for  a  solution  of  her  mysterious  conduct 


206  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

This  one  would  whisper  one  thing,  that  another  ; 
while  once  they  made  so  free  as  to  ask  Nancy  what 
had  come  over  her ;  but  she  would  not  tell.  Jacob 
Japheth,  however,  had  an  opinion  of  his  own  con- 
cerning the  young  woman,  which  he  had  imparted 
to  nobody  except  Mrs.  Japheth.  The  people  had 
already  talked  enough  about  her,  and  he  was  not 
going  to  add  his  mite  of  gossip  to  theirs.  "  Yes," 
the  tithing  man  would  say  to  himself,  "  she's 
been  jilted,  and  in  spite  of  the  way  he  beats  his 
breast  at  meeting,  and  sings  the  psalms,  I  don't 
like  Captain  Joe  for  it.  He  thinks  he  was  never 
seen  with  his  arm  round  her  waist,  two  or  three 
years  ago,  on  Wylly's  hill.  Ha,  ha  !  I  hadn't  any 
blind  eye  then,  and  there  was  a  full  moon  shining." 
And  so  the  gossips  talked,  but  Nancy  minded 
nought  that  they  said  about  her ;  she  did  not  even 
know  that  Mr.  Japheth  was  secretly  her  friend. 
Throughout  her  father's  correspondence  with  Kan- 
dolph  and  Dudley,  the  young  woman  had  acted  as 
his  amanuensis,  and  governor  Andros  had  already 
received  more  than  one  communication  in  her  hand- 
writing. Often,  while  thus  emj^loyed,  she  was 
tempted  to  speak  out  her  mind  and  tell  him  she 
would  no  longer  write  to  those  who  were  bent  on 
destroying  the  liberties  of  New  England.  But 
every  iiime  the  words  had  come  to  her  lips  her 
courage  had  failed,  aud  so  she  had  gone  on  writing, 


CHARTEK   OAK.  207 

letter  after  letter,  until  now  she  began  to  see  the 
net  wliich  she  had  helped  to  weave,  drawing  closer 
iiud  closer  about  her  native  colony. 

No  man  of  course  toils  without  an  object ;  it  was 
not  pure  and  simple  loyalty  to  his  sovereign  which 
caused  Mr.  CLiik  to  place  himself  in  opposition  to 
llie  people  of  Hartford.  No,  he  had  an  end  in  view 
which  he  was  bent  on  reaching  b}^  fair  means  or 
foul.  Little  did  Nancy  dream  that  besides  a  for- 
tune for  himself,  ho  intended  her  to  marry  some- 
body with  a  title,  at  any  rate  a  gentleman,  of  whom 
not  a  few  had  come  over  with  the  new  governor ; 
after  which  th(3y  might  go  and  live  in  England, 
instead  ..of  am(jn  ;•  low-born  Puritans.  "  Now  that 
the  old  woman  is  dead,"  he  would  say  to  himself, 
as  he  paced  back  and  forth  in  his  room,  meditating 
over  his  schemes,  "  the  girl's  career  shall  no  longer 
be  thwarted.  I  was  too  lenient  wdien  I  permittted 
her  to  waste  her  days  reading  '  Cotton's  Milk  for 
Babes,'  and  '  The  Assembly  Catechism ;'  those 
books  have  taken  all  the  spirit  out  of  her.  But 
that's  over  now,  and  I  will  infuse  into  her  some  of 
my  own  ambition." 

The  morning  after  Lj^dia  Goffe's  arrival  in  the 
settlement,  this  unscrupulous  man  stood  gazing  out 
of  his  parlor  window,  evidently  in  w^hat,  for  him, 
was  a  very  genial  moorl.  But  it  was  not  the  blue 
sky,  nor  the  sunbeams  streaming  in  upon  him,  nor 


208  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

the  rows  of  boxwood  peeping  above  the  snow,  which 
filled  his  heart  with  gladness  ;  there  w^as  no  poetry 
in  his  nature,  not  the  least.  He  was  a  hard,  mat- 
ter-of-fact being,  whose  head  would  not  have  turned 
the  tenth  of  an  inch  to  view  the  most  subhme 
scenery  on  earth. 

"  That's  a  fine  piece  of  land,"  he  kept  repeating, 
"  a  fine  piece  of  land ;  too  good  to  be  devoted  to 
the  support  of  a  school.  Moreover,  the  town  had 
no  right  to  dispose  of  it  without  asking  leave  of  the 
only  person  in  New  England  who  now  has  th(^  nyo 
and  nay  in  such  matters."  Here  he  turned  and 
walked  to  the  other  end  of  the  room,  then  came 
back  to  the  window.  "  But  there's  time  enough, 
'twill  be  six  weeks  yet  before  spring  really  opens; 
bluebirds  can't  deceive  me,  we'll  have  more  cold 
weather,  and  I  wouldn't  be  able  to  plow  the  field 
now,  even  if  I  had  the  deed."  Then  rubbing  his 
hands,  "  Ha,  ha  !"  he  continued,  "  Captain  Synnot 
ought  to  reach  Boston  to-morrow  evening ;  hell 
lay  my  petition  before  Sir  Edmund  and — ha,  ha,  ha ! 
won't  there  be  gnashing  of  teeth  among  Joe  Wads- 
worth's  party  ?" 

While  he  was  thus  rejoicing  at  the  pi'ospect 
which  opened  before  him,  a  delicate,  humble  look- 
ing female  entered  and  approached  the  window 
where  he  stood. 

"Isn't  this  glorious !"  she  exclaimed,  leaning  her 


CHAllTEK    OAK.  209 

forehead  against  the  glass,  "  how  I  love  the  sun ! 
I  wish  it  would  shine  on  me  always,  even  when  I'm 
dead ;  yes,  father,  give  me  a  sunny  grave." 

Mr.  Clark  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  gazi^d  at 
her  with  an  expression,  part  of  pity,  part  of  wonder. 

"  'Tis  past  eight  o'clock,  Nancy,"  he  said,  "  I  had 
to  take  breakfast  without  you ;  but  then,  it  was 
after  midnight  when  you  retired  ;  you  were  a  good 
girl  to  sit  up  so  late.  You  conversed  well,  and  I 
think  he  fancied  you  ;  one  of  these  days  you'll  have 
your  reward.    But,  tell  me,  how  did  you  like  him  ?" 

"  Well,  certainly  I  could  find  no  fault  with  his 
looks,"  she  answered ;  "  he  is  very  handsome." 

"  Aye,  my  daughter,  his  long  wavy  hair  is  much 
more  pleasing  to  the  eye  than  the  hideous,  short- 
cropped  locks  of  our  people.  But  who  do  you 
think  he  is?" 

"  Why,  a  British  officer,  of  course ;  his  uniform 
showed  that,  although  before  he  took  off  his  deer- 
skin coat,  he  was  well  disguised.  Doubtless  he 
holds  a  position  under  Andros  ;  he  spoke  as  if  he 
knew  his  wife." 

"  Quite  right ;  Captain  Synnot  commands  Sir 
Edmund's  body  guard,  and  came  to  Hartford  for  the 
purpose  of  seeing  how  things  look.  He  is  no  cant- 
ing Puritan,  but  a  true  member  of  the  Church 
of  England."      Here  Mr.   Clark  paused,  and  in- 


210  nOMANCE    OF  THE 

tently  watclied  his  daughter's  countenance.  But 
Nancy  was  still  gazing  at  the  blue  sky,  and  seemed 
to  pay  very  little  heed  to  these  last  words. 

"You  heard  him  relate  his  adventure  in  the 
forest  ?"  he  continued. 

"  Yes,  sir,  'twas  the  last  thing  our  guest  told  be- 
fore I  withdrew.  Keally,  I  am  curious  to  know 
who  that  girl  was  he  rescued  from  the  wolves." 

"  So  am  I ;  he  spoke  of  her  as  being  exceedingly 
beautiful." 

For  another  quarter  of  an  hour  Mr.  Clark  paced 
up  and  down  the  room,  still  keeping  in  very  good 
humor.  "Never  mind,"  he  soliloquized,  *' never 
mind,  if  my  daughter  hasn't  a  comely  face  she'll 
yet  be  the  envy  of  them  all.  T  will  make  myself  so 
useful  to  his  Excellency  that  he'll  not  be  able  to 
do  without  me,  and  whatever  honors  he  showers  on 
me,  she  will  share." 

At  length  he  stopped,  and  placing  his  forefinger 
on  Nancy's  shoulder,  '*  I  suppose  I  need'nt  caution 
you,"  he  said,  "  not  to  repeat  anything  our  visitor 
told  us  about  Boston  and  Sir  Edmund ;  be  prudent 
and  hold  your  tongue." 

"  As  you  wish,"  she  murmured,  at  the  same  time 
her  breast  heaved. 

"  Come,  come  ;  do  not  sj)eak  as  if  you  were 
afraid  of  me,"  exclaimed  her  father.  "  Alas,  you 
have  been  spoilt  by  3^our  early  training.     Why  are 


charteh  oak.  211 

you  not  cheerful  ?  Have  you  no  enthusiasm,  no 
ambition  ?  I  could  swear  I  heard  you  sigh  a  mo- 
ment ago.  Why,  Nancy,  think  what  your  future 
may  be  !  Captain  Synnot  is  going  to  speak  a  good 
word  for  you  to  Lady  Andros  ;  that  ought  to  make 
your  heart  glad." 

"  I  was  not  aware,  sir,  I  needed  anything  said 
in  my  behalf,"  replied  the  young  woman. 

"  Humph  !  you  have  }  our  mother's  obtuseness ; 
well,  I  will  speak  plainer.  I  mean  that  her  lady- 
ship shall  know  that  I  have  a  daughter,  who  is 
anxious  to  serve  the  government,  and  whom  I  am 
anxious  to  have  married  to  somebody  of  rank." 

At  these  words  the  young  woman  turned  and 
eyed  her  father  with  a  gaze  steadier  than  he  believ- 
ed her  capable  of,  while  an  indignant  flush  crim- 
soned her  brow.  She  had  long  known  the  base 
part  he  was  playing ;  how  could  she  help  but  know 
it,  since  she  herself  had  written  all  his  letters. 
But  that  he  should  wish  to  drag  her  further  along 
the  path  of  infamy,  and  have  her  choose  for  a  hus- 
band some  retainer  of  Sir  Edmund,  was  almost 
more  than  even  her  humble  disposition  could  bear. 

But,  alas,  her  timidity  sealed  her  lips  ;  she  knew 
her  parent's  temper,  and  so  let  another  occasion  go 
by,  where  she  might  have  spoken  out  her  mind  for 
his  good,  perhaps,  as  w^ell  as  her  own. 

"  Nancy,"  he  resumed,  after  rather  a  long  silence, 


212  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

"jou  have  played  your  part  well  thus  far;  only 
one  thing  is  needed  to  make  you  perfect,  and  that 
is  ambition.  You  are  now  twenty-three  years  of 
age,  and  have  been  wise  enough  to  stay  unmarried. 
There  was  a  time  when  I  feared  Joseph  Wadsworth 
was  making  an  impression  on  you.  You  were  right 
not  to  favor  his  suit,  which,  by  the  way,  he  had  no 
right  to  begin  without  my  leave.  Help  me  now 
with  all  your  heart  and  soul  to  better  our  position, 
and  every  man  and  woman  in  Hartford  will  look  on 
you  with  env}^" 

At  the  mention  of  Wadsworth's  name,  the  young 
woman  drew  herself  up,  and  with  an  expression 
which  astonished  her  father,  "  He's  far  above  us 
all,"  she  cried,  "  far  above  us  all." 

"  What,  Nancy  !  I  thought  you  had  long  gotten 
over  your  school  girl  love.  Tut,  tut,  don't  prate 
to  me  about  his  being  noble  and  above  us  all ;  I 
won't  hear  it,  silence." 

She  obeyed,  but  despite  his  angry  look  the  tears 
came  to  her  eyes. 

"  Now  don't  be  foolish,"  he  continued,  "  I  never 
saw  you  act  in  this  way  before.  Come,  dry  your 
tears  and  I'll  tell  you  what  I  saw  a  short  while  ago, 
as  I  stood  at  the  gate.  It  was  nothing  else  than 
the  Captain  of  the  train-band  riding  by  with  a 
pretty  gii'l  behind  him  on  the  pillion.  True  as 
gospel ;  and  it  was  a  sight  which  made  me  glad  : 


CHARTER   OAK.  213 

men  of  his  stamp,  with  fiio  and  brimstone  under 
their  ejel^rows,  born  revohitionists  need  wives  to 
keep  them  at  honie,  contented  with  the  plow  and 
the  harrow.  But  I  fear  it  may  be  too  late  for  any 
woman  to  stop  Wadsworth  ;  he  has  already  com- 
promised himself,  judging  fi'om  a  few  words  I  heard 
Mad  Adams  drop  at  the  tavern  last  month.  Oh,  T 
must  work  hard,  verj'  hard  indeed  to  thwart  him, 
or  the  king  will  have  to  bid  adieu  to  these  colonies." 

Again  Nancy's  face  brightened.  "  May  the  Lord 
strengthen  him,  may  he  keep  true  to  his  vow," 
she  said  to  herself  ;  "  brave,  noble  Wadsworth,  you 
will  yet  lead  us  to  independence  !" 

"  I  want  you,"  resumed  Mr.  Clark,  "  to  bear  one 
thing  in  mind,  that  is,  that  you  and  I  are  in  the 
same  boat ;  we  must  sink  or  swim  together.  I  for- 
give your  moody  conduct  during  the  last  half  hour, 
your  tears  and  the  foolish  way  you  spoke  of  my 
enemy,  wiio  nuist  and  shall  be  your  enemy  too  ; 
but  you  must  wake  up,  and  have  more  ambition. 
I  desire  you  now  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  the 
girl  whom  I  saw  riding  with  Wadsworth ;  doubtless 
she  will  know  much  about  his  plans,  and  you  will 
thus  be  doing  a  great  service  to  your  king,  for 
which  Heaven  will  bless  you." 

"  And  my  country  despise  me  !"  thought  Nancy, 
folding  her  arms,  and  again  looking  boldly  at  her 
father.     "  Never  !  I'd  sooner  die  !" 


'214  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"  You  iiiidcrstancl  me,  Miss,"  lie  concluded, 
"  therefore  begin  at  once,  I  expect  an  early  re- 
13ort."  With  this,  he  took  up  his  hat  and  left  the 
house,  turning  his  steps  in  the  direction  of  the  field 
which  he  so  much  coveted. 


CHAPTEE   IX. 

It  was  a  clear,  sun-shiny  day,  the  fifth  v/hich 
Lydia  had  spent  in  Hartford,  and  the  girl  was 
seated  b}^  the  window,  thinking  of  how  fond  she 
had  already  become  of  the  place ;  nothing  was 
wanting  to  complete  her  happiness,  but  to  have 
her  father  with  her. 

"  I  cannot  remain  away  from  him  much  longe-r," 
she  said  to  herself;  "  no,  I  cannot." 

The  hour  was  three  in  the  afternoon,  and  since 
dinner  she  had  been  studying  the  Assembly 
Catechism,  for  her  host  had  warned  her,  that  he 
was  going  to  examine  her  on  it  that  evening  ;  but 
its  dry,  uninteresting  matter  had  ended  in  giving 
her  a  headache,  and  she  could  not  bear  to  read 
another  line.  "  I  must  go  out  for  a  walk,"  she 
said,  "  and  this  time  without  the  goodwife,  or  Miss 
Crabtree.  The  latter  tries  to  keep  me  always  under 
her  eye,  she's  a  perfect  cat ;  I  do  believe,  she's 


CHARTER   OAK.  til  5 

afraid  some  other  man  besides  the  Captain  will 
speak  to  me."  Now,  this  was  pretty  much  the 
truth. 

But  can  we  blame  the  aunt  for  wishing  to  secure 
to  her  nephew  the  possession  of  one  so  beautiful, 
and  in  every  way  so  fitted  to  become  his  wife? 

The  house  was  very  quiet ;  Wadsworth  was  in 
his  librar}^  poring  over  a  manuscript,  which  Doctor 
Mather  had  sent  him  from  Boston  ;  Miles,  as  usual, 
lay  sleej^ing  at  his  feet ;  while  Prudence  and  her 
friend  had  not  opened  their  lips  for  ever  so  long, 
being  each  dee[)l  j  i\hs<  ubed  in  the  other's  dream-book. 

"  If  I  had  on  my  moccasins  instead  of  these  un- 
comfortable shoes,"  thought  Lydia,  "  I  might  slip 
out  without  being  noticed.  I'll  risk  it,  however, 
and  if  they  do  catch  me,  why  what  of  it  ?  I've  a 
right  to  go  when  and  where  I  please." 

A  few  minutes  later  she  might  have  been  seen 
gliding  out,  her  scarlet  cloak  over  her  shoulders, 
and  on  her  head  a  plain,  sombre-colored  hood. 
"If  the  Captain  wants  me  to  take  a  ride,"  she  said, 
laughing,  "  he'll  have  to  exercise  his  patience  and 
wait  till  to-morrow.  He's  deep,  and  bold,  and 
original,  and  there  are  many  things  about  him 
which  I  admire,  but  somehow  I  cannot  get  to  like 
him — too  cold  and  mysterious,  not  enough  senti- 
ment. If  he  wants  me  now,  he'll  have  to  chase 
me.     Ha,  ha  1" 


216  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

Pin  sentlj  she  found  herself  m  Mam  st)i'et,  which, 
us  might  have  been  expected  on  such  a  lovely 
afternoon,  was  crowded  with  people,  girls  and  boys, 
grannies  and  old  men,  farmers,  storekeepers,  and 
not  a  few  hunters,  with  strings  of  wolves'  ears  slung 
across  their  shoulders,  and  all  chatting  pleasantly 
together.  Nearly  every  dwelling  had  a  sled  stand- 
ing in  front  of  it,  some  of  the  horses  pawing  the 
snow  and  neighing  for  their  masters  to  come ;  others 
with  heads  down  and  ears  drooping,  as  if  they 
knew  that  they  were  only  brutes,  and  that  making 
a  noise  would  not  bring  them  back  to  their  stables 
any  the  sooner.  Lydia  was  quickly  recognized  by 
those  to  whom  Miss  Crabtree  had  introduced  her, 
but  instead  of  stopping  to  chat,  she  preferred  mere- 
ly to  return  their  greeting,  then  hastened  on  to- 
wards the  old  pyramid-shaped  meeting-house  ;  for 
although  she  had  several  times  visited  it,  she  had 
not  yet  examined  as  thoroughly  as  she  wished  the 
graves  which  stood  there,  nor  the  stocks  and  whip- 
ping-post at  the  north-east  corner  of  the  green. 
When  she  arrived  no  culprit  happened  to  be  under- 
going sentence,  so,  walking  up  to  the  stocks,  she 
endeavored  to  thrust  her  right  hand  through  one  of 
the  holes.  In  this,  however,  she  did  not  quite  suc- 
ceed, but  was  pushing  hard,  when  suddenly  a  voice, 
so  lugubrious  that  you  might  have  imagined  it  pro- 
ceeded from  one  of  the  graves  l)ehind  her,  exclaim- 


ClLiKTEH    OAK.  217 

ed :  "  Eiiclily  liast  thou  merited  being  placed 
there,  Miss  Garhc,  but  thy  siu  will  be  forgiven,  for 
thou  hast  repented." 

We  need  hardly  say  that  Lydia  was  startled,  and 
looking  round  she  beheld  the  tall,  slender  form  of 
the  ruling  elder  eyeing  her  from  a  little  distance. 

"What  do  you  mean,  sir,"  she  exclaimed,  draw- 
ing herself  up. 

"  I  mean,  that  thy  curls  were  giving  wide-spread 
scandal ;  but,  thank  the  Lord,  thou  hast  destroyed 
them.  Therefore,  I  shall  not  dwell  upon  the 
subject  further  than  to  say,  beware  of  Satan  ;  he 
will  dig  many  a  pitfall  in  thy  road  to  Zion." 

"  Well,  in  spite  of  all  his  holes,  you  and  I'll  get 
there,"  exclaimed  another  voice,  and  glancing  in 
the  direction  of  the  jail,  Lydia  saw  the  merry  eye 
of  Jacob  Japheth,  the  tithing  man,  twinkling  at 
her. 

"  I  watched  you,  Miss,  trying  to  push  your  hand 
in  the  stocks,  ha,  ha,  ha !  you  didn't  get  through, 
you  didn't  get  through."  Th-en  drawing  closer,  and 
lowering  his  voice,  "  did  you  keep  e'er  a  one  of 
them  flutterin'  you-know-whats  ?  some  folks  think 
they  was  a  scandal ;  but  some  folks  is  grumpy  by 
nature,  and  see  the  devil  in  every  ringlet  on  a 
pretty  girl's  head.  Why,  Miss,  when  I  said  my 
prayers  that  evening,  after  I  had  seen  you  and 
Captain  Jo6  riding  past,  them  'ere  you-know-whats 


218  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

was  dancing  afore  me,  so  I  could  scarce  keep  my 
eye  on  the  Bible ;  every  line  seemed  to  twist  and 
cnrl  up  like  one  of  'em." 

"  A  pretty  tithingman,  indeed  !"  exclaimed  Lydia, 
laughing,  and  at  the  same  time  shaking  his  hand, 
"  to  let  my  poor  curls  give  such  distraction." 

"  Well,  I  shall  never  forget  'em,  and  never  ex- 
pect to  behold  the  like  again.  But  now,  to  change 
the  subject,  what  do  j^ou  think  of  him  ?" 

As  he  put  the  question,  Israel  Barebones  edged 
up  closer  and  placed  his  hand  to  his  ear. 

"Think  of  whom?" 

"  Oh,  3'ou  know,  Miss  ;  ain't  he  wise  ?  ain't  he 
original  ?" 

"  Are  you  speaking  of  Mr.  Wadsworth  ?" 

"  Why,  of  course,  and  you  may  as  well  be  frank 
about  it ;  the  cat's  already  out  of  the  bag." 

"  A  most  godly  man,"  put  in  the  ruling  elder, 
"  and  I  join  brother  Japht  th  in  congratulating  you  ; 
the  Captain  needs  a  wife  to  settle  him  down  and 
keep  him  from  brooding  so  much  over  the  political 
condition  of  the  countr3^" 

"  Yes,  yes,  a  wife  would  give  him  other  things  to 
worry  about,"  pursued  the  tithing  man. 

"  Well,  really,"  exclaimed  Lydia,  blushing,  yet  at 
the  same  time  hardly  able  to  repress  a  laugh, 
"  methinks  you  are  both  making  very  fi'ee  with  9, 
piece  of  impertinent  gossip," 


CHARTER   OAK.  219 

'*  'Tis  known  by  every  body,"  rejoined  Mr.  Ja- 
plietli ;  "  nothing  else  is  talked  about,  and  we're 
all  so  glad,  for  Captain  Joe's  a  great  favorite,  and 

we -want  to  see  his  name  handed  down.    Yet " 

here  he  stopped  and  shook  his  head.  "  It  wasn't, 
right,"  he  murmured,  "  she  was  his  first  choice;  no, 
it  wasn't  right ;  poor  Nancy  Clark  !" 

"  And  that's  why  he's  getting  up  a  husking  party; 
the  first  he's  given  in  years,"  said  Mr.  Barebones, 
not  noticing  the  grave  look  of  his  friend. 

"A  husking  party '?  Strange  I've  heard  nothing 
about  it,"  said  Lydia  ;  "  that  shows  what  propor- 
tions gossip  can  take." 

"  But  it's  true,  I  got  it  from  good  authority;  per- 
haps he  wants  to  keep  it  a  secret,  and  so  take  you, 
Miss,  by  surprise." 

Here  the  regicide's  daughter  burst  into  a  hearty 
laugh  ;  then  telling  them  that  she  could  not  lose 
any  more  time  listening  to  their  nonsense,  betook 
herself  to  the  rear  of  the  meeting-house.  She  had 
been  there  only  a  short  while  examining  the 
mounds  without  headstones,  and  wondering  what 
poor  strangers  might  be  lying  beneath,  when 
her  attention  was  drawn  to  a  young  woman  ap- 
proaching from  Main  street,  with  a  wreath  of  ever- 
green slung  over  her  arm;  her  eyes  were  cast  upon 
the  ground,  and  her  whole  appearance  was  that 


220  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

of  one  familiar  with  care  and  sorrow.  Presently 
she  stopped  at  Mrs.  Clark's  grave,  then  kneeling 
down,  placed  the  wreath  upon  it.  Lydia's  feelings 
were  moved,  and  walking  up,  she  stood  reverently 
by  until  Nancy  had  risen  ;  then,  without  waiting  to 
introduce  herself,  she  threw  her  arms  about  her 
neck  and  gave  her  a  kiss. 

"  I  know  we  are  strangers  to  one  another,"  she 
said,  in  answer  to  the  other's  look  of  astonishment, 
"  but  that  makes  no  difference,  we  shall  be  friends." 

"  Always,"  said  Nancy,  who  took  in  at  a  glance 
the  fullness  of  Lydia's  generous  nature,  "  always." 

"  Are  you  not  Miss  Clark  V"  pursued  the  regicide's 
daughter. 

"I   am,   and  pray ."      Here    she    suddenly 

checked  herself,  for  she  had  recognized  in  her  new 
acquaintance  the  very  person  whom  her  father  was 
desirous  she  should  meet.  "  No,"  she  murmured, 
"  I  will  not  even  ask  her  name — I  will  not  play  the 

"  I  am  staying  at  Mu.  Wadsworth's,"  continued 
Lydia,  "  and " 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  know  it,"  said  Nancy,  interrupting 
her  ;  "  I  saw  jon  and  him  ride  past  my  house  a 
few  days  ago."  With  this  the  young  woman 
bowed  her  head,  while  the  other  wondered  what 
she    was   thinking    about,   and   why   the    expres- 


CHARTER    OAK.  221 

sion  of  her  facn  grew  so  sjul.  DmiiiL;  tlie  next 
minute,  what  thoughts  passed  through  Nancy's 
mind,  what  memories  were  awakened  ! — the  moon- 
light walks  around  Wylljs'  hill ;  those  hours  of  bliss 
which  for  her  at  least  were  n(ner  to  return.  Yet, 
not  once  had  she  blamed  AVadsworth  for  his  vow ; 
no,  not  once.  She  had  felt  that  by  keeping  him 
true  to  it  she  would  be  a  sharer  in  his  glory ;  the 
Lord  would  bless  them  both  and  give  freedom  to 
their  native  land.  But  what  was  this  gossip  now 
flying  from  mouth  to  mouth  ?  "  I  do  not  believe  it," 
she  murmured,  at  the  same  time  gazing  affectionate- 
ly at  Lydia  ;  "he  pledged  himself  to  the  xVlmighty 
never  to  marry ;  to  swerve  from  his  vow  would 
jeopardize  his  soul ;  I  will  pray  for  him ;  yet  I  do 
not  believe  it — no,  no." 

In  Nancy's  heart  there  entered  not  one  spark  of 
jealousy  ;  if  anything,  she  pitied  Lydia.  "  Wads- 
n-orth,"  she  said  to  herself,  "  is  a  man  to  be  loved  ; 
ne  may  allow  himself  to  be  carried  away  for  awhile 
by  my  friend's  beauty,  but  in  the  end,  if  she  loves 
him,  there  is  grief  in  store  for  her — he  will  keep 
his  vow."  % 

Presently  they  took  each  other's  hand  and  wend- 
ed their  way  among  the  graves,  whose  quaint 
epitaphs  amused  Lydia ;  while  Nanc}^  as  Wads- 
worth  had  already  done,  read  aloud  the  inscription 
on  the  tomb  of  the  Reverend  Samuel  Stone.     They 


222  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

fclien  crossed  tlie  green  and  re-entered  Main  street, 
where  thej  found  the  tithing  man  and  the  ruling 
elder  talking  to  a  group  of  people  who  stared  as 
they  went  by,  and  from  the  way  Mr.  Barebones 
dropped  his  Yoice,  Lydia  felt  certain  she  had  been 
the  subject  of  his  remarks. 

"  An  odd  couple,"  she  said. 

"  Well,  they  are  both  a  little  peculiar,"  replied 
Nancy,  "  yet  very  good  men.  Israel  Barebones  is 
thought  by  some  folks  to  be  too  scrupulous  ;  night 
and  day  he  worries  about  what  others  are  doing, 
and  it  almost  kills  him  \^hen  any  body  wanders 
out  of  the  path  of  righteousness.  Mr.  Japheth  in 
this  respect  is  altogether  diiferent ;  he  seems  as  if 
he  couldn't  frown  or  look  gloomy  if  he  tried,  and 
lets  folks  do  pretty  much  as  they  please.  Yes,  his 
blind  eye  is  often  the  sinner's  friend." 

"  Well  I  prefer  him  a  thousand  times  over !"  ex- 
claimed Lydia  ;  "  give  me  sunshine  nnd  a  cheerful 
face  always  ;  he  reminds  me  of  some  one  whom  no 
doubt  you  know,  for  he  lives  in  Hartford — Simon 
Adams." 

"  Know  Mad  Adams  ?  I  should  think  I  did — as 
good  a  fellow  as  ever  breathed.  FTe  now  keeps 
the  Bunch  of  Grapes,  and  although  'tit^  his  first 
season  at  the  business,  ewery  body  is  satisfied  with 
his  management ;  no  brawls  occur  tliere  any  more, 
while   at  nine  in  the  evening  the  tavern  is  closed 


cii  \i;teii  oak.  223 

As  for  getting  iii  ou  the  Sabbath,  jirnW  have  to 
squeeze  through  the  key  hole." 

"  I  am  gkid  he  has  a  better  way  of  earning  a 
livehhood  then  huntmg  wolves,"  said  Ljalia. 

"  So  am  I ;  but  I  fear  he  won't  stick  to  it ;  ha 
has  led  such  a  wandering  life  that  it  is  difficult  for 
him  to  settle  down.  Indeed,  I  am  afraid  he's  at 
this  very  moment  off  on  one  of  his  wild  expeditions. 
He  disappeaed  a  couple  of  weeks  ago,  trusting  the 
Ordinar}^  to  a  friend,  and  I  hear  he  is  not  back  yet, 
nor  does  any  body  seem  to  know  which  way  he 
went.     Alas  !  he  cannot  do  without  excitement." 

"  Well,  he  is  no  fonder  of  it  than  my  host,  into 
whose  soul  this  peaceful,  monotonous  life  is  eating 
like  rust." 

"  True  ;  but  a  day  is  coming  when  Wadsworth's 
patience  and  pains  will  be  rewarded  ;  wait  till  the 
drum  beats  to  arms,  then  the  world  will  know  him  !" 

Here  Lydia  glanced  at  the  speaker,  whose  cheek 
had  suddenly  become  flushed  with  excitement,  and 
as  the  girl  watched  her  she  remembered  how  the 
Captain  of  the  train-band,  when  she  had  ridden  with 
him  past  Mr.  Clark's  house,  had  sighed  and  urged 
on  his  steed.  What  did  it  mean  ?  What  mystery 
was  there  between  him  and  her  friend  ? 

"But  pray,  where  did  you  make  Adam's  acquain- 
tance ?"  said  Nancy,  her  face  once  more  resuming 
its  habitual  pallor. 


224  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"  At  my  lioine,  which  he  occasionally  visits." 

"  Oh,  indeed !"  With  this  the  young  woman 
changed  the  subject.  Her  natural  curiosity  might 
have  prompted  her  to  ask  where  Lydia's  home 
was,  but  she  had  resolved  to  obtain  no  information, 
which  her  father  by  any  cross- questioning  might 
contrive  to  worm  out  of  her. 

"  How  do  you  like  the  Captain's  shadow  ?"  she 
continued.  "  I  mean  his  dog  Miles." 

"  As  much  as  he  likes  me  ;  we  are  already  fast 
friends." 

"  Well,  'twas  I  gave  him  to  Wadsworth."  Here 
Nancy  sighed.  Just  then  they  heard  the  sharp, 
joyous  bark,  which  no  other  dog  in  town  possessed, 
and  looking  round  they  spied  Miles  running  to- 
wards them  as  fast  as  he  could.  In  another  mo- 
ment he  had  reached  them,  then  placing  himself  in 
front  of  Nancy  he  gave  her  one  of  his  strange 
looks. 

"  I  do  believe  he's  trying  to  speak,"  saM  Ljdia. 

"  Yes,"  replied  her  companion,  "  no  othe^  ditmb 
animal  ever  stares  at  me  in  this  way." 

"  I  suspect  he  was  seeking  you,  not  me,"  pur 
sued  Lydia  ;  "  does  he  often  leave  his  master  ?" 

"  About  once  a  month  he  comes  to  our  house  and 
scratches  at  the  door  till  I  let  him  in.  He  is  an 
original.'* 

•*  like  the  Captain,"  said  Lydia. 


CHAliTEli   OAK.  225 

"  Yes,  you're  right.  Mr.  WadsAVortli  is  diftereiit 
from  other  men.  Oh,  what  a  great  soul !  Alas ! 
that  he  and  father  should  be  enemies !" 

"  Well,  that  need  not  hinder  you  paying  me  a 
visit  before  I  leave  the  settlement,  and  I'll  certainly 
eome  to  see  you." 

Nancy  shook  her  head.  "  In  a  few  moments," 
she  sighed,  "  we  will  reach  my  home,  but  1  dare 
not  invite  you  to  enter  it,  since  you  are  the  guest 
of  one  whom  he  hates." 

"I  will  go  in,  however;  I'm  not  afraid,"  answer- 
ed Lydia.  "  Surely,  in  your  company  Mr.  Clark 
would  not  offer  me  an  insult." 

"  Well,  as  you  hke,  but  you  must  not  take  offence 
if  I  do  not  return  the  visit ;  I  am  no  favorite  with 
Miss  Crab  tree." 

Soon  they  were  at  the  house,  and  as  Nancy 
opened  the  door,  a  nervous  feeling  seized  her. 
What  if  her  father  should  be  at  hom-e  ?  "  Suppose 
he  questions  me  about  my  companion,"  she  thought, 
"  what  can  I  tell  him  ?  Will  he  believe  me  when  I 
say  that  I  neither  know  who  she  is  nor  where  she 
comes  from  ?'"'  The  young  woman  determined,  how- 
ever, rather  to  brave  his  auger  than  win  the  confi- 
dence of  Lydia,  only  to  make  a  base  use  of  what 
she  might  discover. 

The  building  which  they  entered  was  not  as  cold 
and  gloomy  as  it  appeared  from  the  outside  ;  on 


226  ROM.VNCE    OF   THE 

the  contrary,  once  across  the  threshold,  it  wore  a 
cheerful  aspect.  To  the  left  of  the  hall  was  a.ca,- 
pacious  room  with  clean,  whitewashed  walls,  and 
no  ears  of  corn,  bunches  of  catnip,  or  pumpkins 
dangling  overhead,  as  in  Wadsworth's  abode.  The 
chimney  was  smaller  than  that  of  Lydia's  host, 
but  a  bright  fire  w^as  burning  on  the  hearth,  and 
the  desk  and  writing-table  in  the  centre  of  the 
apartment  showed  that  it  was  used  both  as  a  study 
and  parlor.  What  first  attracted  the  girl's  atten- 
tion was  a  portrait  of  King  Charles  the  First,  a  gift, 
as  Nancy  informed  her,  from  President  Dudley. 
But  the  regicide's  daughter  was  not  told,  for  her 
friend  did  not  know  it  herself,  that  it  was  likewise 
a  reward  for  a  secret  service  which  Mr.  Clark  had 
rendered  the  government. 

"  But  come,"  exclaimed  Nancy,  seizing  her  arm, 
"  come  up  to  my  bed-room  ;  I  want  to  show  you 
my  flowers;  Miles  as  you  perceive  has  left  our 
heels  and  is  no  doubt  w^aiting  for  us  there." 

Sure  enough,  on  mounting  the  staircase,  they 
found  him  lying  on  the  mat  before  the  door,  thump- 
ing his  tail  as  if  he  w^ere  keeping  time  to  their  foot- 
steps. The  chamber  into  which  Lydia  was  ushered 
was  small  and  cozy,  and  the  rays  of  the  sun,  which 
were  streaming  in,  gave  it  a  warmth  and  cheerful- 
ness such  as  no  artificial  light  can  ever  impart. 
By  the  window  stood  a  few  flower-pots,  c<mtai:i"iii  ; 


CHARTEll    OAK.  227 

roses  and  geraniums,  while  in  tlie  corner  near  the 
fireplace  (in  which  at  this  moment  were  only  a  few 
smouldering  embers)  lay  a  spindle  and  distaff. 

"  These,"  said  Nancy,  affectionately  resting  her 
hand  upon  them,  "  were  mother's." 

Presently  her  face  brightened,  and  Lydia  also 
smiled,  for  there,  unceremoniously  stretched  upon 
the  bed,  its  head  resting  on  the  pillow,  like  a  human 
being,  was  the  dog. 

"  Happy  creature  !"  she  continued,  "  'tis  well  I 
gave  you  away." 

"  Wh}^  ?"  inquired  Lydia. 

"  Because,  I'm  unlucky  ;  all  my  pets  die."  As 
she  spoke  the  3^oung  woman's  face  again  grew  sad. 
"  There  was  Cudjo,  the  dearest  little  dog  that  ever 
lived,  I  never  knew  what  became  of  him  ;  Dick,  a 
pigeon,  w^hich  used  to  follow  me  every  where,  was 
carried  off  by  a  hawk  ;  then  I  had  a  colt,  a  lamb, 
and  all,  one  after  the  other,  just  when  I  had  got 
most  attached  to  them,  either  died  or  left  me. 
That  is  why  1  gave  Miles  away."  i 

"  Well,  at  anj  rate,  your  flowers  are  blooming." 

"Yes,  they  are,  the  frost  has  not  killed  them 
yet;  I  doubt  if  any  body  has  a  mate  for  this," 
cutting  off'  the  loveliest  rose  and  handing  it  to  her 
friend,  who  after  admiring  it  a  moment,  placed  it 
in  her  breast,  then  turned  toward  the  window. 

"Is   not  that  the   Oak   on    AYyllys'    hill?"    said 


228  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

Lydia  poiDting  at  a  large  tree  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  off. 

"  Yes,  I  call  it  my  oak  ;  'tis  dear  knows  how  old." 

"  So  Mr.  Wadsworth  told  me,  and  lie  said  the 
Indians  were  exceedingly  fond  of  it." 

"And  the  squirrels  love  it  too,"  continued  Nancy. 
"  I  have  seen  a  whole  family  of  the  little  creatures 
basking  at  the  mouth  of  the  opening  which  you  must 
have  noticed  near  the  roots;  while  the  wliippcx)rwill8 
are  heard  there  sooner  than  any  where  else,  and  the 
Captain  is  fond  of  sitting  under  the  tree,  spring 
evenings,  on  purpose  to  listen  to  them." 

"But  they  have  such  a  mournful  cry,"  said 
Lydia, 

"  'Tis  the  very  reason  he  likes  them.  Why,  I've 
heard  him  say,  the  wind  whistling  among  the  leaf- 
less trees  in  winter,  was  the  sweetest  of  music. 
Mr.  Wadsworth  is  not  like  other  men." 

They  thus  went  on  conversing  about  one  thing 
and  another,  until  Lydia  perceived  that  the  sun 
was  almost  on  the  horizon  and  that  it  was  time  for 
her  to  leave.  "  Prudence  and  Miss  Crabtree  must 
be  worrying,"  she  said,  "to  know  Avhat  has  become 
me."  But  before  bidding  good-bye  there  was  a 
question  she  wanted  very  much  to  ask  ;  it  was  the 
name  of  the  stranger,  whom  Wadsworth  had 
traced  here  a  few  nights  before,  and  who,  she  felt 
«ure,  was  the  same  that  had  rescued  her  from  the 


CHARTER  OAK.  229 

wolves.  Yet  she  hesitated,  for  she  feared  it  might 
wideu  the  breach  between  Nancy's  parent  and  her 
host,  if  the  former  discovered  that  Wadsworth  kept 
watch  on  those  who  entered  his  abode  ;  so  without 
mentioning  the  subject,  she  gave  her  friend  an  em- 
brace and  departed. 

Nancy  remained  on  the  porch,  following  her  Avith 
her  eyes,  till  long  after  she  had  passed  through  the 
little  gate,  and  when  finally  she  disappeared  from 
view,  the  young  woman  still  lingered  there,  while 
her  thoughts  turned  upon  Wadsworth.  "  If  I  did 
not  know  him  so  well,"  she  said,  "  I  might  be 
tempted  to  believe  the  report  which  is  spread 
through  the  town,  that  he  is  in  love.  No  maid  in 
Hartford  can  equal  his  young  guest  in  beauty. 
Poor  thing  !  I  hope  she  may  not  give  him  her  heart, 
as  I  once  did  ;  for  I  know  he  will  keep  true  to  hiw 
vow,  and  in  the  end  there  is  bitter  grief  in  store  foi 
her." 

Presently  Nancy  bowed  her  head,  and  the  tear= 
trickled  down  her  cheeks  ;  her  fortitude  and  resigna- 
tion for  once  gave  way.  "Wadsworth,  Wads- 
worth !"  she  sobbed  ;  "  those  were  happy  hours  we 
spent  together  on  Wyllys'  hill."  At  length  she  was 
startled  by  a  low,  melancholy  whine,  and  glancing 
round,  saw  Miles  looking  up  at  her. 

"  Why,  poor  fellow,"  she  said  patting  him,  "  you 
were  asleep  when  we  left  the  room,  and  I  forgot  to 


230  BOMANCE   OF  THE 

call  you,  poor,  poor  fellow."  For  about  a  minute 
tlie  dog  kept  watchiDg  her;  it  did  not  bark  nor 
wag  its  tail.  Then  slowly  descending  into  the 
garden,  it  passed  through  the  gate  and  followed  in 
the  direction  which  Lydia  had  taken. 


CHAPTER  X. 

On  Lydia's  return  she  found  Prudence  and 
Charity  seated  in  front  of  the  fire,  each  with  a 
manuscript  in  her  hand. 

"  Well,  that  was  a  wonderful  dream,  to  be  sure," 
exclaimed  tlie  latter,  as  the  door  opened,  and  the 
girl  walked  in.  The  appearance  of  the  truant  im- 
mediately changed  the  current  of  the  old  maid's 
thoughts ;  and  tossing  back  her  head,  she  scowled 
at  Lydia  from  beneath  her  spectacles. 

"  Miss,"  said  the  dame,  after  a  pause,  during 
which  she  had  mentally  prepared  a  series  of 
questions,  "  where  have  you  been  ?"  At  the  same 
time  Goody  Garlic  drew  her  darling  towards  her, 
and  likewise  asked  her  to  give  an  account  of  her- 
self, but  in  a  soft,  gentle  voice,  which  was  a  sweet 
contrast  to  the  jarring  tones  of  the  other. 

"  I  have  been  everywhere,"  answered  Lydia,  who 
had  resolved  to  keep  nothing  secret,  "  and  a  most 
charming  time  I  have  had." 


CHARTER   OAK.  231 

"Then  you  will  have  a  great  deal  to  tell  us," 
pursued  Miss  Crabtree,  "  be  open,  now,  and  let  us 
know  all  about  your  doings  since  you  went  out  on 
the  sly." 

"  "Well,  I  met  many  people,  dame,  but  only  spoke 
to  a  few ;  there  was  Jacob  Japheth,  the  tithing 
man,  Mr.  Barebones,  the  ruling  elder,  and — " 

"  Israel  Barebones,"  interrupted  Charity,  "  oh, 
he's  a  most  godly  man  ;  you  cannot  but  profit 
spiritually  by  having  made  his  acquaintance ;  Mr. 
Japheth  can't  come  within  a  mile  of  him  in  religion. 
But  go  on,  who  else  did  you  meet." 

"  Then  I  fell  in  with  a  very  agreeable  young 
woman,  Nancy  Clark  ;  'twas  she  gave  me  this  rose." 
Had  Ly dia,  instead  of  placing  her  finger  on  the 
flower,  torn  it  from  her  bosom  and  thrown  it  into 
Miss  Crabtree's  face,  the  countenance  of  the  latter 
could  hardly  have  assumed  a  more  malignant  ex- 
pression. 

The  dream-book  was  crumpled  up  and  thrust 
into  her  pocket  and  she  tossed  back  her  head  so 
violently  that  her  spectacles  dropped  off. 

"  Nancy  Clark,  did  you  say  ?"  But  before  she 
could  proceed  further,  Lvdia,  with  a  saucy  laugh, 
turned  away  and  disappeared  up  the  stair-case. 

"  Pray  what  does  all  this  mean  ?"  exclaimed 
Goody  Garlic,  perplexed.  "  Has  my  child  beer 
making  any  improper  acquaintance  ?" 


232  KOMANCE   OF   THE 

"  Yes,  slie  Las.  Listen,  and  you'll  agree  that  I'm 
right.  You  must  know.  Prudence,  tJiat  my  nepheAV 
was  at  one  time  smitten  with  this  Nancy  Clark.  I 
don't  think  the  fact  was  ever  discovered  by  any  one 
but  myself,  for  their  love -walks  were  alwa3^s  taken 
after  dusk,  and  then  it  was  not  up  and  down  Main 
street  they  promenaded,  but  on  the  outskirts  of 
the  town  ;  and  very  often  they'd  stroll  to  Willy's 
hill,  where  they'd  sit  for  hours,  aye,  till  midnight, 
cooing  like  a  pair  of  doves,  under  the  large  oak 
tree  which  stands  there.  Ha !  Joe  little  thought 
my  eye  was  following  him !  You  see,  I  didn't  take 
to  the  girl  from  the  very  first ;  why,  I  cannot  tell, 
but  I  didn't  like  her  ;  perhaps  because  she  was 
homely,  and  meek,  and  not  at  all  the  kind  of  per- 
son for  my  nephew.  But  I  Avas  not  set  completely 
against  her,  till  one  Sabbath  evening  about  three 
months  after  he  had  began  making  love.  It  hap- 
pened tiiat  I  was  coming  home  fi'om  a  w^alk  along 
the  river,  and  had  just  reached  the  lane  which 
passes  by  Wyllys'  hill,  when  I  saw  Miss  Clark  ap- 
proaching; her  hands  were  clasped  together,  her 
e^^es  bent  on  the  ground ;  she  was  evidently  greatly 
agitated.  I  at  once  slipped  behind  a  hay-stack, 
for  I  didn't  care  about  meeting  her,  and  as  she 
went  past  she  was  crying,  and  oh  1  in  such  a  dole- 
ful voice,  '  ^Yads worth,  Y/adsworth  !  alone  through 
life,  alone  !'     I  can  hear  her  words  even  now  rinir- 


CHARTER   OAK.  235 

ing  in  mj  ears.  Well,  from  that  day  the  intimacy 
between  tliem  ceased ;  but  Joe,  instead  of  courting 
some  other  maiden,  began  to  hold  entirely  aloof 
from  wonion's  society  ;  he  has  been  since  then  to 
not  a  single  husking  party  or  bee,  and  from  the 
strange  way  he  acts,  I  believe  there  is  some  evil 
influence  working  upon  him.  One  thing  I  know 
for  sure,  ho  views  Nancy  Clark  as  a  being  superior 
to  any  other  on  earth.  In  more  ways  than  one  he 
follows  in  her  footsteps;  both  shun  society, neither 
of  them  are  married.  Can  you  wonder  at  me  for 
believing  she  has  thrown  a  spell  over  him  ?" 

"  Well,  how  does  she  otherwise  conduct  herself, 
is  she  an  observer  of  the  Sabbath  ?" 

"  Far  from  it.  Not  once  since  the  death  of  her 
mother,  who  was  a  most  godly  woman,  has  she 
placed  her  foot  inside  the  meeting-house,  and  the 
only  person  she  is  intimate  with  is  the  widow  Bull, 
a  creature  honey-combed  with  vanity,  and  who 
rarely  attends  divine  worship  herself.  Oh,  I  wish 
the  selectmen  would  listen  to  Mr.  Barebones  and 
have  a  cage  for  sabbath  breakers  placed  at  the 
church  door.  Yes,  the  widow  Bull  ought  to  be  in 
one,  and  so  ought  Nancy  Clark.  But  tell  me  now, 
Prudence,  are  you  astonished  at  my  dislike  of  the 
new  acquaintance  your  charge  has  made  ?  Depend 
upon  it,  if  Nancy  be  invited  to  our  husking  party, 
her  evil  eye  will  ruin  Joe's   chances  of  winning 


234  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

Miss  Lydia.  However,  I  shan't  ask  her  to  come, 
and  I'll  do  mj  best  not  to  let  Joe  ask  her  either. 
Yet  something  tells  me  she'll  be  here,  if  only  to 
keep  the  spell  over  him." 

"  Too  bad,  too  bad  !"  murmured  the  other,  "  we 
must  keep  a  sharp  look-out  and  not  let  the  child 
grow  too  intimate.  Miss  Clark  may  have  given 
herself  to  the  devil  and  exert,  as  you  suspect,  a 
malicious  influence  over  your  nephew  j  what  a  pity, 
what  a  pity !" 

"  Aye,  what  a  pity,"  sighed  Miss  Crabtree  :  "  he 
needs  a  genial  mate,  such  as  Lydia  Goffe  would 
make  him,  to  drive  away  his  gloominess." 

At  this  moment  a  scratch  was  heard  at  the  outer 
door,  and  Charity  exclaiming,  "  Oh,  there  he  is  ! 
Miles  often  runs  ahead  and  asks  for  admittance," 
made  haste  to  open  it. 

But  what  was  her  surprise  to  find  the  "  shadow," 
indeed,  but  not  the  master ;  and  although  she 
looked  up  and  down  the  road,  she  could  see  nothing 
of  Wadsworth.  "It's  queer,"  she  said,  "  they  went 
out  in  company,  soon  after  we  missed  the  girl ; 
this  has  never  happened  before." 

On  returning  to  the  inner  room,  she  again  seated 
herself  t)y  the  fire,  but  neither  herself  nor  her 
friend  resumed  the  perusal  of  their  dream-books  ; 
they  preferred  to  chat,  while  Miles,  after  warming 
himself  at  the   hearth,  left  them,  and  joined  Lydia 


CHARTER   OAK.  235 

OB  the  upper  story.  The  regicide's  (laughter  was 
at  this  moment  looking  at  herself  in  a  small  mirror, 
which  the  old  aunt,  not  without  many  scruples,  had 
hung  up  on  the  wall.  It  would  be  untrue  to  say 
the  girl  did  not  regret  the  loss  of  her  curls,  and 
just  as  the  dog  placed  his  paw  against  her,  she  was 
Avishing  that  she  had  them  back. 

"  Ah,  there  you  are  again,"  she  exclaimed,  strok- 
ing the  creature's  head,  "  Nancy's  pet  as  well  as 
mine."  Miles  wagged  his  tail  and  barked,  then 
suddenly  stopped,  and  turned  up  an  ear  as  if  he 
were  listening. 

Lydia  felt  sure  Wadsworth  had  arrived,  and  ex- 
pected to  see  the  creature  rush  below;  but  it  did  not 
stir.  Presently  she  heard  a  queer  noise,  which 
seemed  to  come  from  the  garret,  and  Avhile  she  was 
wondering  if  it  might  be  caused  by  rats,  off  went 
Miles,  up  a  narrow  ladder  which  led  into  that  part 
of  the  building.  Lydia  followed  him,  but  by  the 
time  she  reached  the  top,  everything  was  quiet,  and 
she  found  the  dog  snuffing  at  a  hole,  through 
which  no  doubt  the  vermin  had  disappeared.  The 
hght  in  this  part  of  the  house  was  always  dim,  but 
now,  when  the  sun  was  below  the  horizon,  it  was 
necessary  to  walk  with  care,  lest  she  should  trip 
over  the  rubbish  with  which  it  was  stored. 

Her  curiosity  was  awakened  to  find  out  what  the 
things  were  which  she  touched  with  her  hands  and 


236  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

feet ;  so  going  below,  she  presently  returned  with 
a  lamp,  determined  to  explore  every  nook  and 
corner.  But  even  with  the  light  the  shadows  were 
but  half  dispelled,  and  the  place  seemed  more 
weird  than  before.  On  one  side  stood  a  number  of 
barrels,  filled  with  walnuts  and  hickory  nuts,  while 
scattered  here  and  there  were  discarded  pieces  of 
furniture,  pots  and  kettles,  with  bottoms  burned 
out  through  long  use  ;  brooms  without  handles ;  a 
cracked  looking-glass ;  a  rusty  sickle ;  a  broken 
churn,  on  the  handle  of  which  was  stuck  one  of 
Miss  Crabtree's  night  caps ;  a  pair  of  worn-out 
boots,  besides  other  odds  and  ends.  She  had  fin- 
ished, as  she  believed,  her  examination  of  this  an- 
cient lumber  room,  whose  very  atmosphere  had 
something  in  it  of  the  years  long  gone  by,  and  was 
on  the  point  of  descending  the  ladder  when  her 
eye  was  attracted  by  a  roll  of  parchment,  which 
till  now  had  escaped  her  notice.  At  once  she  set 
the  lamp  on  the  floor,  and  opening  the  roll  discover- 
ed, to  her  surprise,  that  it  was  the  map  of  North 
America  which  she  had  seen  on  Wadsworth's 
table. 

"How  did  it  find  its  way  here!"  she  thought. 
Then  remembering  what  her  host  had  said  regard- 
ing its  mysterious  origin,  a  feeling  of  awe  crept 
over  her,  and  hastily  wrapping  it  up,  she  went  be- 
low and  hid  it  under  her  bed,  intending  to  replace 


CHARTER   OAK.  237 

it  in  the  study  on  the  morrow.  While  she  was 
musing  over  her  strange  discovery,  Goody  Garlic 
entered  and  told  her  the  evening  meal  was  ready, 
and  that  she  must  descend  without  delay. 

"  The  Captain,"  she  added,  "  has  just  come  home, 
tired  out  searching  for  you.  Oh,  child,  what  a  fine, 
noble  fellow  he  is !  for  his  sake  try  and  do  nothing 
to  irritate  his  aunt.  If  she'd  rather  you'd  not  as- 
sociate with  the  young  woman  Avhom  you  took  such 
a,  fancy  to  this  afternoon,  why,  yield  to  her  wishes  ; 
there  are  many  other  persons  to  know  and  visit  be- 
sides Miss  Clark.  Moreover,  her  father,  I  am  told, 
hates  Mr.  Wadsworth,  while  Nancy  herself  nevei 
goes  to  meeting,  and  therefore  cannot  be  a  propei 
companion  for  you.  Now,  try  and  please  Miss 
Crabtree  in  this  matter,  do." 

L3'dia  shook  her  head,  then  taking  up  the  lamp, 
gave  a  parting  look  at  herself  in  the  glass. 

"  What  a  fool  I  was,"  she  said,  "  to  let  her  de- 
stroy my  curls  !  But  not  content  with  that,  the 
dame  would  force  me  to  visit  only  those  whom  she 
likes.     I'll  show  her  I  have  a  will  of  my  own." 

Prudence  was  startled  by  this  speech.  Had  her 
charge  already  learnt  so  much  of  the  world,  the 
flesh  and  the  devil  ?  "  Never  before  has  she  mani- 
fested such  a  rebellious  spirit;  what  does  it  meanV" 
thought  the  dame,  clasping  her  hands  and  gazing 
mournfully  at  the  girl.     "  Alas !   it  .ill  comes  from 


238  EOMANCE    OF   THE 

that  meeting  iu  the  forest ;  her  very  innocence 
renders  her  unconscious  of  when  she  doeth  wrong. 
Aye  !  the  kiss  the  stranger  gave  her,  was  the  devil's 
entering  wedge  !" 

In  another  moment  Lydia  and  the  good  wife 
were  descending  the  staircase,  the  former  deter- 
mined to  spite  Miss  Crabtree  by  praising  Nancy 
Clark  whenever  occasion  might  offer  ;  the  latter 
murmuring  a  prayer  that  her  charge  might  be  pro- 
tected from  the  Evil  One. 

As  soon  as  the  girl  appeared  below,  AVadsworth, 
who  was  standing  with  his  back  to  the  fire,  smiled; 
while  Charity,  always  rejoiced  to  see  him  shake  off 
his  gloominess,  smiled  too,  and  even  went  so  far  as 
to  take  a  bone  from  the  cupboard  and  throw  it  to 
Miles.  The  dog  was  so  astonished  that  at  first  it 
did  not  touch  the  gift ;  but  presently  recovering 
from  its  surprise,  it  carried  the  bone  under  the 
steps,  where  it  began  gnawing  it,  while  the  family 
sat  down  to  supper.  The  conversation  during  the 
meal  turned  upon  Lydia's  recent  walk  ;  but  happily 
there  sprang  up  a  discussion  between  Wadsworth 
and  his  young  guest,  as  to  the  respective  merits  of 
Mr.  Japheth  and  Mr.  Barebones,  and  this  excluded 
every  other  topic,  so  that  Nancy  Clark  was  not 
once  mentioned.  Lydia  maintained  that  the  tith- 
ing man  had  the  most  christian  face  of  the  two. 

"  If  it's  only,"  she  said,  "  for  his  merry  laugh  and 


CHARTER   OAK.  239 

twinkling  eje,  I  like  liim  fclie  best ;  I  hold  that  such 
persons  find  most  favor  with  the  Lord." 

At  this  speech  the  Captain  let  drop  his  fork  and 
knit  his  brow,  while  Charity  felt  hke  boxing  her 
ears.  Presently  Wadsworth  rejoined,  and  en- 
deavored to  impress  upon  her  the  necessity  of  a 
gi'ave  deportment,  which,  he  added,  was  a  strong 
point  with  the  ruling  elder.  And  so  they  went  on, 
till  at  length  Lydia  closed  the  argument  by  quoting 
a  pet  phrase  of  Mad  Adams,  namely,  "  that  the 
Lord  did  not  like  a  sour  face ;"  whereupon  tho 
Captain  was  fairly  startled  out  of  his  seat,  and  be- 
taking himself  to  the  door,  stood  there  several 
minutes  watching  the  heavens,  while  Goody  Garlic 
so  feared  lest  the  aunt  might  take  up  her  nephew's 
view  of  the  question  and  perhaps  try  and  force 
Lydia  to  hold  her  tongue,  that  she  hastily  pulled 
her  dream-book  from  her  pocket  and  skilfully 
succeeded  in  diverting  her  friend's  thoughts. 
Prudence's  interference  was  well-timed,  for  although 
Miss  Crabtree  in  her  heart  agreed  with  Lydia,  that 
smiles  and  laughter  were  excellent  things,  (and  we 
know  how  she  longed  to  have  her  Joe  smile  and 
laugh),  yet  the  girl  had  clothed  her  ideas  in  lan- 
guage so  unbecoming,  and  had  given  such  offence 
by  speaking  irreverently  of  Mr.  Barebones,  that 
she  was  afraid  her  nephew  might  never  get  over 
it. 


240  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"  It  would  be  a  good  niglit  for  Adams  to  travel," 
thought  the  Captain,  closing  the  door  and  returning 
to  the  hearth  ;  "if  I  were  sure  they  were  on  the 
way  I'd  go  meet  them."  Then  seating  himself 
next  to  his  young  guest,  he  asked  if  she  were  ready 
to  recite  her  lesson  in  the  catechism.  Lydia  nod- 
ded, then  passed  him  the  book,  after  which,  for 
about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  nothing  was  heard  but 
the  deep,  earnest  voice  of  her  host,  putting  the 
questions  and  herself  answering  them,  not  always 
to  the  letter,  yet  near  enough  to  give  the  right 
sense. 

"  I'm  extremely  edified !"  he  exclaimed,  when 
they  had  reached  the  end  of  the  task,  "  and  by 
learning  as  many  pages  every  day  you  may  soon 
become  a  member  of  our  Church." 

Hardly  had  he  spoken  when  Miles  left  his  bed 
under  the  stair-case  and  walked  to  the  door  with  a 
savage  growl.  In  another  moment  they  heard  a 
horse  neigh,  and  Wadsworth,  guessing  who  had  ar- 
rived, hastened  to  meet  the  party,  while  the  old 
maids  smoothed  down  their  aprons  and  glanced  at 
Lydia,  who  had  not  the  remotest  idea  of  what  was 
to  happen,  and  thought  it  was  only  some  of  the 
town  folks  come  to  spend  the  evening.  To  describe 
the  girl's  feelings  when  suddenly  her  father  ap- 
peared, leaning  on  Wadsworth's  arm,  would  be  im- 
possible.    "With  a  joyous  cry  she  threw  herself  on 


CHARTER   OAK.  241 

tiie  old.  man's  breast,  while  tlie  regicide,  bowiii^^ 
down  his  head,  wept  tears  of  gladness. 

"  A  tiresome  journey,  Lydia,"  he  said,  wiping  his 
eyes,  "  a  tiresome  journey,  but  it's  worth  all  the 
fatigue  just  to  see  you  again." 

"  Well,  if  you  had  not  come,  father,  I  was  not 
going  to  remain  away  from  you  much  longer,  no 
indeed  I  was  not." 

During  this  touching  scene.  Miss  Crabtree  and 
Goody  Garlic  stood  quietly  by  the  east  window, 
Miles  alone  venturing  to  approach,  and  sniff  at 
the  Colonel's  legs.  Presently  the  latter  caught 
sight  of  the  faithful  woman,  who  for  so  many  years 
had  kept  house  for  him  in  the  wilderness,  and 
seizing  her  hand  he  pressed  it  warml}",  then  with- 
out waiting  for  an  introduction,  he  greeted  Charity 
Crabtree,  whom  Adams  had  ah-eady  told  him  all 
about ;  and  the  aunt  with  a  smile,  which  revealed 
every  one  of  her  jagged  teeth,  hastened  to  assure 
him  that  she  would  leave  nothing  undone  to  make 
him  comfortable  and  happy.  Then  drawing  the 
best  chair  close  to  the  hearth  and  placing  a  cushion 
upon  it,  she  urged  him  to  be  seated  ;  after  which, 
giving  the  servant-maid  a  pinch,  she  bade  the 
drudge  prepare  a  second  meal. 

"You  must  thank  Mr.  Wadsworth  for  this," 
whispered  Prudence  to  Lydia  ;  "  it's  all  his  doing  ?" 

"  Oh,  yes  ;  God  bless  him  !    He  is  a  noble,  gen- 


242  ROMANCE   Ol'    THK 

erous  man,  and  I  never  can  tL;inw  binj  enough.'' 
As  she  spoke  the  girl  tinned  tolc.'ok  for  her  host. 
But  the  Captain  was  not  to  be  found,  he  had 
sHpped  out  to  the  stable  where  Adams  was  putting 
up  the  horse. 

*^  But  my  daughter !"  exclaimed  the  Colonel, 
drawing  Lydia  towards  him  and  staring  at  her, 
"  what  have  you  been  doing  to  yourself  ?  as  I  live, 
every  curl  gone  !" 

"  Alas,"  she  sighed,  "  long  hair  is  not  approved 
of,  and  it  had  to  be  clipped.  However,  when  I  get 
back  to  the  woods  I'll  let  it  take  a  fresh  start,  and 
shall  soon  have  my  curls  again." 

Here  the  old  man  laughed,  and  was  about  saying- 
something  when  she  interrupted  him  to  ask  how 
he  had  left  the  chickens,  and  whether  any  wolves 
had  got  over  the  stockade. 

"  The  chickens,  deai,"  he  replied,  "  are  all  well, 
and  so  are  the  sheep,  and  the  cow,  and  not  a  wolf 
has  troubled  us." 

"  But  you  yourself  had  a  narrow  escape  from  the 
wild  beasts.  Oh,  Lydia !  by  wdiat  a  merciful 
Providence  you  were  saved." 

"  Yes,  father,  it  was  a  merciful  Providence." 
Here  the  color  suddenly  left  her  cheek ;  she  re- 
membered the  secret  which  had  escaped  her  on 
that   eventful   night.     "  But,  no,"  sle    murmured., 


ClIAKTEll   OAK.  243 

"  I  cannot  believe  he  will  betray  me  ;  no,  no,  lie 
will  not." 

"  I  have  left  Christian  in  charge  of  everything," 
resumed  her  parent,  "  and  when  the  spring  opens, 
he  will  bring  chickens  and  all  to  Hartford."  At 
these  words  his  daughter  gave  him  an  inquir- 
ing look.  "  For  you  must  know,  Lydia,"  he  con- 
tinued, "  that  Mr.  Wadsworth  has  invited  me  to 
make  this  my  home  in  future." 

The  faintest  shadow  stole  over  the  girl's  counten- 
ance at  this  announcement.  "  Might  it  be,"  she 
thought,  "part  of  a  deep-laid  plan  to  win  my  af- 
fections? It  certainly  places  me  in  a  sore  prv.dica- 
ment,  for  I  shall  owe  the  Captain  a  debt  of  gratitude 
har J  to  pay." 

"  It  seems,"  continued  the  regicide,  *'  that  he 
learned  from  Adams  how  I  was  situated,  aud  de- 
termined to  smooth  my  last  day^  by  giving  me  a 
comfortable  retreat." 

"  And  Joe'll  make  you  happy  as  long  as  you  live," 
interrupted  the  aunt.  "  My  nephew  has  unbounded 
influence ;  one  call  from  him  would  rally  round 
you  the  bravest  train-band  that  ever  carried  mus- 
ket and  pike." 

Miss  Crabtree  spoke  with  such  earnestness,  that 
for  the  first  time  since  Lydia  had  gazed  on  her  gi- 
gantic top-knot,  she  felt  something  like  love  for 
the   woman.     Then  reflecting   how  natural  it  was 


244:  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

tliat  one,  holding  Wads  worth's  poKtical  opinions, 
should  be  anxious  to  befriend  her  father,  she  dis- 
missed all  suspicion  of  his  having  invited  him  to 
his  home  for  a  selfish  end.  Present^  the  Captain 
re-appeared,  accompanied  by  Simon,  and  fijiug  tj 
meet  him,  the  girl,  in  a  voice  broken  with  emotion, 
thanked  him  for  the  joyful  surprise  ho  had  gi^  on 
her.  "  It  will  add,"  she  said,  "  years  to  my  father's 
life ;  oh,  a  thousand  thanks,  sir,  a  thousand  thanks 
for  what  you  have  done." 

Wadsworth,  as  he  felt  her  hand  touch  his,  press- 
ed his  lips  together,  while  his  eyes  wandered  to- 
wards King  Cliarles'  twelve  good  rules,  posted 
above  the  fire-place.  Oh,  Avhat  a  battle  he  was 
waging  with  himself!  As  once  before,  the  color 
mounted  to  his  brow  ;  he  groaned,  and  for  an  in- 
stant shut  his  eyes.  But  all  in  vain,  he  could  not 
resist.  He  forgot  the  prayers  he  had  made  only  a 
few  nights  before,  and  with  an  impatient  toss  of 
his  head,  as  if  to  say,  "  begone,  my  vow,  begone," 
he  gave  the  regicide's  daughter  a  glance  which  re- 
vealed to  his  aunt  who  was  watching  him  closely, 
if  not  to  the  girl  herself,  all  that  the  latter  most 
dreaded. 

"  Let  us  praise  the  Lord,"  whispered  Miss  Crab- 
tree  to  Prudence,  "  the  spell  is  broken." 

"  Yes,"    rejoined    the    other,    "  'twas    a  happy 


CHARTER  OAK.  245 

fcliouglit  to  invite  the  Colonel  here  ;  the  child  can- 
not but  love  her  benefactor." 

Simon  likewise  perceived  the  sudden  change 
which  had  come  over  his  master  ;  the  honest  fel- 
low's plan  was  working  to  perfection,  and  his  heart 
was  so  full  of  joy,  that  he  forgot  all  about  his 
quarrel  with  dame  Garlic,  and  even  ventured  to 
pat  her  affectionately  on  the  shoulder ;  while  Miss 
Grabtree  went  so  far  as  to  call  Miles  "  a  dear,  good 
dog." 

It  was  a  much  later  hour  than  usual  when  the 
happy  household  separated  for  the  night.  One 
might  have  thought  that  the  laughter  and  talking 
was  never  going  to  cease.  The  cricket  under  the 
hearth-stone  chirped  louder  than  ever  it  had  chirp- 
ed before,  while  the  blazing  hickory,  as  if  it  knew 
how  memorable  an  occasion  it  was,  threw  a  noon- 
day gleam  into  the  remotest  corner  of  the  vast 
apartment.  But  at  length  they  bade  one  another 
good  night,  and  WadsAVorth,  as  he  ascended  the 
staircase,  actually  hummed  a  merry  tune,  while  his 
aunt  snapped  her  fingers  and  ^ried  out,  "  Hallelu- 
jah !  it's  a  coming,  it's  a  comiir^j." 


246  ROMANCE  OF  THE 


CHAPTEE  XI. 


We  left  Nancy  Clark  standing  on  the  porcli  of 
her  father's  house,  gazing  after  the  retreating 
figure  of  Lyclia  Goffe.  At  last  when  her  friend 
disappeared  from  view,  she  returned  to  her  bed- 
room, where  a  '*ew  dry  sticks,  and  a  little  blowing 
with  the  bellows,  soon  restored  a  cheerful  flame  on 
the  hearth  ;  then  seating  herself  in  front  of  it,  she 
gave  herself  up  to  reverie. 

The  beams  of  the  sun  were  dying  away  upon  the 
wall,  the  house  was  quiet,  all  seemed  to  invite  a 
strain  of  pensive  thought.  What  a  fate  hers  had 
been  !  He  who  had  once  made  love  to  her,  who 
had  pressed  his  lips  to  her  cheek  years  ago  on 
Wyllys'  hill,  was  not  to  stay  a  bachelor  for  ever. 
So  at  least  the  gossips  were  saying.  "  But  no," 
she  murmured,  "  no,  I  cannot  believe  it  ;  there 
stands  his  covenant.  Woe  to  him,  woe  to  him,  if 
he  has  fallen,  but  I  cannot,  I  will  not  believe  it." 

Here  Nancy's  eye  turned  on  her  mother's  spindle 
and  distaff,  and  while  she  gazed  on  these  dear 
ol)jects,  a  strange  feeling  came  over  her ;  it  was  as 
if  the  one  whom  she  had  so  tenderly  loved  were 
present  in  the  room,  invisible  and  yearning  for  the 
hour  when  they  should  meet  again.  And  as  she 
thought  of  her  mother,  she  remembered  how  the 


CHARTER   OAK.  247 

good  christian  woman  had  urged  her  to  be  a  dutiful 
child,  to  love  her  father,  and  make  his  home  happy 
after  she  would  be  gone. 

"I'll  try,  I'll  try,"  said  Nancy;  "but  how  far 
must  I  go  in  my  obedience?  Do  I  not  already 
stay  away  from  meeting  ?  Am  I  not  aiding  him  in 
his  schemes  to  overthrow  liberty  in  Connecticut  ? 
Will  it  be  my  duty  to  take  whatever  husband  he 
may  select?"  Here  she  shook  her  head;  and  cover- 
ing her  face  with  her  hands,  thought  once  more  of 
her  early  love,  and  the  happy  hours  under  the  old 
oak  tree.  And  so  the  day  waned,  it  grew  darker 
and  darker,  and  still  she  remained  seated  by  the 
fire,  going  over  her  past  life,  wondering  what  her 
future  was  to  be.  At  length  the  flame  on  the 
hearth  appeared  to  die  out,  her  e^^es  closed, 
Nancy  was  dreaming.  She  found  herself  standiug 
alone  on  a  rock,  which  projected  far  out  into  the 
ocean.  The  horizon  was  dark  and  over  the  waves, 
which  were  rolling  towards  her,  a  sea-gull  was 
screaming,  "  Never  again,  Nancy,  never  again." 
The  waters  mounted  higher  and  higher,  she  strove 
to  escape,  something  kept  her  rooted  to  the  spot. 
And  still,  the  bird  screamed,  and  up,  up,  rose  the 
tide  ;  the  rock  on  which  she  stood  began  to  tremble. 
At  length,  just  as  a  great  whirlpool  was  about  to 
draw  her  into  its  depths,  she  awoke  with  a  start. 


248  ROMANCE   OP   THE 

And,  oh  !  what  a  relief  it  was  to  find  herself  safe  in 
her  cozy  apartment. 

But  the  fire  was  out,  there  was  scarcely  enough 
light  to  see  by,  and  she  was  wondering  how  late  it 
might  be,  when  she  heard  her  father  calling  her. 
Hastening  below,  she  found  him  at  his  desk,  rub- 
bing his  hands  and  scolding  because  she  had  not 
come  sooner  to  bring  him  his  slippers. 

"I  thought  you  were  deaf  or  dead,"  he  ex- 
claimed, as  she  entered  the  room ;  then  rubbing 
his  hands,  "  whew  !  how  cold  it  is  ;  I'm  glad  to  get 
home." 

"  Oh,  father,  do  be  careful,"  said  Nancy,  as  she 
drew  his  arm-chair  close  to  the  hearth,  "  remember 
the  sickness  you  took  year  before  last,  from  staying- 
out  late  on  a  winter  evening  ;  come,  sit  near  the 
fire,  do." 

"  Well,  I  think  I'm  good  for  a  hundred  years," 
said  Mr.  Clark,  with  a  chuckle ;  "  I've  had  small 
pox,  and  dear  knows  what  not,  yet  I've  worried 
through  it  all.  However,  as  you  say,  I  ought  to 
take  reasonable  care  of  my  health."  Here  he 
threw  himself  into  the  arm-chair. 

"  I'd  rather  the  night  had  been  less  sharp,"  he 
continued,  after  warming  himself  a  moment,  "  on 
account  of  Captain  Synnot.  He  told  us,  you  re- 
member, that  he  would  travel  fast  and  might  be 
able  to  get  here  from  Boston  this  evening.     If  he 


CHAUTEIl   OAK.  249 

does,  be  sure  and  make  }  ourself  agreeable ;  you 
know  Avli}'."  The  young  \\'oman  did  not  answer, 
while  her  father  drew  her  gently  towards  him. 
"  The  other  evening,"  he  pursued,  "  you  made  a 
good  beginning;  but  you  must  keep  it  up.  Say 
something  about  Sir  Edmund,  let  the  officer  see 
that  you  are  lo3'al  to  the  King,  and  never  again 
mention  the  name  of  Joseph  Wadsworth."  Still 
Nancy  did  not  speak.  "  'Tis  for  your  sake  as  well 
as  mine  that  I'm  serving  the  government,"  continued 
Mr.  Clark,  "  I  repeat  what  I  have  already  told  you 
a  dozen  times,  you  will  share  my  reward,  and  these 
low-born  Puritan  girls  shall  env}^  you.  Tell  me, 
child,  is  any  thing  the  matter?  Why  are  you  so 
silent  ?  speak !" 

But  Nancy's  lips  remained  closed.  She  shrank 
from  incurring  his  wrath  by  revealing  what  her 
thoughts  were,  yet  she  could  not  tell  a  falsehood 
and  say  that  she  yielded  assent  to  his  plans. 

Presently,  with  a  frown,  he  bade  her  bring  him 
a  candle,  and  also  a  bundle  of  papers  from  the  left 
hand  side  of  his  desk ;  then,  having  selected  one 
with  a  peculiar  mark  upon  it,  he  began  to  examine 
it  with  great  interest.  It  w^as  a  pen-and-ink  sketch 
of  Hartford  and  the  country  around,  the  duplicate 
of  which  lie  had  sent  to  Andros  by  Captain  Synnot. 
Especially  did  his  eyes  gloat  over  a  certain  part  of 
the  paper  whereon  w^as  marked  a  field,  which  a  town 


250  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

meeting  had  lately  voted  for  school  purposes,  but 
of  which  he  intended  to  become  the  owner.  Good 
though  the  title  might  appear  to  the  freemen,  Sir 
Edmund  would  soon  have  power  to  do  whatever  he 
chose,  and  Mr.  Clark  did  not  doubt  that  the  vote 
would  be  declared  null  and  void.  "  The  first  set- 
tlers," he  said,  "  got  the  land  from  a  Pequot  chief, 
and  his  Excellency  holds  that  an  Indian  title  is  no 
better  than  the  scratch  of  a  bear's  paw.^'"  The  au- 
thor of  this  little  map  was  no  other  than  his  daugh- 
ter Nancy.  After  he  had  feasted  his  eyes  upon  it, 
he  folded  it  up,  and  drew  out  another  paper  which 
he  bade  the  young  woman  read  to  him.  Of  course 
she  obeyed,  but  not  without  a  feeling  of  humilia- 
tion ;  for,  like  the  map,  this  too  was  the  work  of 
her  pen.  It  contained  the  names  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Hartford  train-band,  and  the  first  on 
the  list  was  that  of  Joseph  Wadsworth,  while  after 
these  were  figures  giving  the  number  of  muskets 
and  pikes,  the  amount  of  ammunition,  and  lastly, 
the  population  of  the  town. 

"When  she  had  finished,  her  father  thanked  her 
and  declared  his  firm  belief  that  the  spirit  of  in- 
dependence would  soon  be  trampled  out  in  Con- 
necticut. "And  then,  Nancy,"  he  added,  "will be 
our  day  of  triumph." 

After  the.  meal,  which  followed  this  conversation, 
*  See  Palfrey's  Hist.  N.  E.,  Vol.  lU.,  p.  552. 


CHARTER  OAK.  251 

he  did  not  again  look  at  his  papers,  but  wliiled 
awaj  the  hours,  smoking  his  pipe,  and  now  and 
then  putting  a  question  to  his  daughter,  who  had 
taken  out  her  knitting  needles  and  was  seated  near 
him. 

"  By  the  way,"  he  asked,  "  what  have  you  dis- 
covered about  that  strange  gh'l,  whom  I  saw  riding 
with  Mr.  Wadsworth  ?  Who  is  she  ?  What  is  her 
name  ?" 

"  I  do  not  know,  sir,"  replied  Nanc}-. 

"  Humph !  then  I've  found  out  more  than  you 
have.  She's  called  Lydia  Garlic.  I  doubt,  how- 
ever if  it  is  her  true  name.  Oh,  'tis  not  easj^  to 
deceive  me." 

"  Well  pray,  father,  who  think  you  she  is  ?" 

"  I  will  tell  3'ou.  Do  jou  remember,  six  or  seven 
years  ago,  Goffe  the  regicide  was  for  a  short  time 
concealed  here  by  Captain  Bull  ?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Well,  while  he  was  staying  with  the  Captain, 
there  was  also  a  little  girl  living  there,  who  I  am 
sure  was  no  kin  to  her  host,  and  I  satisfied  myself 
that  the  child,  who  was  a  most  lovely  being,  with 
golden  ringlets,  and  as  full  of  fun  as  a  cricket,  was 
the  regicide's  daughter.  Now,  it  wouldn't  surprise 
me  if  this  very  young  w^oman  were  she ;  I  traced 
the  likeness  the  moment  I  beheld  her  long,  wavy 
hair ;  and  what  strengthens  my  suspicion  is,  that 


252  EOMANCE   OF  THE 

the  child  disappeared  about  the  same  time  Goffe 
himself  did. 

Here  Mr.  Clark  looked  at  his  daughter  as  though 
he  expected  to  see  her  manifest  some  surprise  ;  but 
Nancy  did  not  open  her  lips,  nor  did  har  expression 
change  in  the  least. 

"  I  fear,  Miss,"  he  continued,  "  that  jou  do  not 
take  enough  interest  in  my  schemes,  or  you  would 
not  remain  dumb.  Where  is  your  enthusiasm  for 
the  royal  cause  ?  Alas,  if  I  did  not  keep  you  con- 
stantly under  the  spur,  you  would  never  lift  a  fin- 
ger to  better  your  condition.  Why,  if  we  could 
only  manage  to  capture  the  regicide,  we  might 
command  our  own  reward :  it  would  be  more 
gratifying  to  the  King  than  all  our  other  services." 

He  was  still  waiting  for  his  daughter  to  say 
something,  when  the  tramp  of  a  horse  was  heard, 
and  to  her  unspeakable  relief  he  sprang  up  and 
hastened  out  on  the  porch.  Presently  she  distin- 
guished Captain  Synnot's  voice,  and  in  another 
moment  the  officer  entered  the  parlor,  making  a  low 
bow  as  he  advanced,  and  greeting  her  in  the  most 
Jdndly  manner. 

"  Certainly  a  very  agreeable  person,"  thought 
Nancy,  "  and  he  has  a  good  face." 

But  when  she  reflected  on  the  part  he  was  play- 
ing, and  that  he  belonged  to  Sir  Edmund's  staff, 
her  lip  curled,  and  her  eye,  usuallj'  so  mild,  flashed 


CIIAKTJ^K    OAIu  253 

with  indigiiiition ;  then,  .is  he  drew  iieaier,  she 
folded  her  arms  and  looked  steadily  at  him.  This 
conduct,  so  different  from  that  of  her  father,  who 
was  all  smiles  and  honied  words,  astonished  Henry 
Synnot,  avIio  naturally  felt  a  little  embarrassed. 

"  What  can  it  mean  ?"  he  thought. 

At  this  moment  Mr.  Clark  entered,  and  without 
noticing  his  daughter,  he  began  eagerly  to  inquire 
about  the  map  and  the  other  papers  which  he  had 
sent  to  Boston. 

"  Did  his  Excellency  like  them  ?"  he  said.  "  Tell 
me  all  the  particulars,  Captain,  do  !  In  the  mean 
while,"  here  he  glanced  an  instant  at  the  young  wo- 
man, "make  haste,  Nancy,  and  prepare  the  supper  ; 
our  guest,  after  his  long  ride,  needs  refreshment.  " 

At  once  the  young  woman  withdrew,  leaving  her 
father  and  the  officer  to  continue  the  conversation 
alone,  to  her  no  small  regret,  for  she  was  anxious 
to  hear  the  news. 

"Sir  Edmund  was  pleased  bej^ond  any  thing," 
replied  Synnot,  "  and  is  convinced  that  when  Pres- 
ident Dudley  recommended  you  to  him,  he  did  a 
wise  thing.  The  map  of  Hartford,  and  the  list  of 
those  who  comprise  the  train-band  were  precisely 
what  his  excellency  needed,  and  should  he  be 
obliged  to  come  here  himself  to  obtain  the  charter, 
you  will  be  specially  honored  by  him." 

At  this    Mr.  Clark  could  not  help  rubbing   his 


254  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

hands.  "  Well,  speaking  of  the  charter,  Captain,  tell 
me  what  are  the  prospects  of  trouble  in  regard  to  it?" 

"  Humph  !  jou  know  as  much  about  that  as  I  do, 
it  all  depends  upon  the  temper  of  the  people.  I 
have  in  my  pocket  a  letter  for  Governor  Treat, 
which  I  shall  deliver  to-morrow,  wherein  another 
demand  is  made  for  the  surrender  of  the  instru- 
ment." 

"  Well,  I  doubt  if  the  freemen  will  yield,  and 
would  advise  that  no  decisive  step  be  taken  for  a 
few  months  at  least.  His  Excellency  cannot  lose 
by  delay  ;  the  roads  at  this  season  are  bad,  and 
the  people  would  mind  less  the  cold  and  snow,  than 
the  foreign  soldiers,  whom  he  would  bring  with  him. 
Aye,  Captain,  urge  Sir  Edmund  to  wait  until  the 
autumn,  if  he  must  needs  have  recourse  to  force. 
But  now  that  we  are  on  this  topic,  would  you  ob- 
ject to  reading  me  his  Excellency's  letter?" 

"Of  course  not ;  Sir  Edmund  wishes  you  to  know 
its  contents."  As  Synnot  spoke  he  drew  from  his 
breast  pocket  the  document  alluded  to,  and  which 
read  thus  : 

Sir  :  The  twelfth  instant  I  received  a  h.'tter  from  you.  dated 
26th  January  ;  in  answer,  you  saj',  to  mine,  wherein  his  Majesty's 
pleasure  and  commands,  relating  to  the  surrender  of  your  charter, 
was  mad(?  known  unto  you,  which  being  so  gracious  a  concession 
on  his  Majesty's  part,  I  thought  needed  no  other  ai-gument,  than 
his  Majesty's  own  words,  to  induce  your  compliance,  as  those  of 
Rhode  Island  have  loyally  and  tlutifuUy  done.  And  the  letter 
you  mentioned  at  his  Majesty's  accession  to  the  crown  can  be  no 


CHAllTEll   OAK.  255 

color  for  your  delay,  but  the  contrary  ;  his   Majost.y  having  not 

only  sit^uitied  his  royal  pleasure  and  given  me  his  commands  for 

you,  as  above,  (which  certainly  is  a  perfect  auswi-r  to  the  several 

appHeatious  intimated  in  your  letter,)  but  also  the  government 

of  other  of  his  territories  in  New  England,  are  all  settled,  except 

3'ourselves.     Finding  your  delay  on  such  mistaken  notions,  and 

yet  professing'your  desire  to  demonstrate  your  loyalty,  obedience 

and  duty,  this  is  by  advice  of  his  Majesty's  council  here,  to  give 

you  another  opportunity  of  suitable  and  dutiful  resolves  so  much 

importuning  your  own  welfare,  if  you  yet  do  it,  and  lei  me  hear 

from  you  without  delay,  that  I  may  not  be  wanting  in  my  duty. 

Accordingly  I  am  your  most  affectionate  friend, 

Boston,  25 th  day  of  Febr.,  '87.  E    Andbos. 

Governor  Treat  and  Council  of  Connecticut 

"  Yery  good,  very  good,  indeed  !"  exclaimed  Mr. 
Clark,  when  his  guest  had  finished  reading." 
"  But  I  repeat,  sir,  urge  his  Excellency  not  to  push 
matters  to  extremes  at  present.  I  doubt  if  the 
people  will  consent  to  surrender  their  charter,  and 
if  force  have  to  be  used,  'twill  be  better  to  wait  a 
few  months,  say  until  autumn,  when  the  roads  are 
good  and  travelling  easy." 

"  I  shall  press  this  course  upon  Sir  Edmund," 
answered  the  officer,  "  for  there  is  wisdom  in  it." 
Here  followed  a  pause  in  the  conversation,  after 
which  Mr.  Clark  went  on. 

"  Tell  me  now,"  he  said,  "  something  about  my 
own  private  affairs." 

"You  mean  the  school-land?" 

"  To  be  sure." 

"  Oh,  that  he  granted  immediately  ;  here  is  the 
deed,"    and    as   the  officer  spoke  he   handed  Mr. 


256  KOMANCE   OF   THE 

Clark  a  roil  of  parcliinent  which  the  fingers  of  the 
latter  eagerly  clutched,  while  at  the  same  time  he 
called  his  daughter  to  come  and  view  the  first  reward 
of  thek  services.  "  This,  child,"  he  exclaimed,  "  is  the 
meadow  I  have  so  long  coveted;  at  last' it  is  mine. 
As  soon  as  the  town  hires  it  to  any  body,  I  will 
serve  on  the  tenant  a  writ  of  intrusion,  and  foolish 
will  he  be  who  disputes  my  title.  Ha !  ha !  isn't 
this  glorious  ?" 

But  the  young  woman,  who  had  obeyed  his  sum- 
mons, and  was  now  standing  at  his  elbow,  seemed 
perfectly  indifferent  to  what  he  was  telling  her. 
For  an  instant  she  glanced  at  the  officer,  and  the 
latter  fancied  he  could  detect  in  her  iace  a  shade 
of  defiance.     But  her  Hps  did  nut  move. 

*'  The  fact  is,"  pursued  her  father,  shrugging  his 
shoulders,  "  my  daughter'  nevcTi  lets  herself  be 
carried  away  by  good  news,  or  by  bad  ;  she  is  a 
stoic,  if  ever  there  was  on(!,  yet  at  the  same  time 
she  is  a  staunch  royalist ;  are  you  not,  Nancy  V" 

Here  he  turned  towards  the  young  woman. 
Most  fortunate  it  was,  that  at  this  moment  one  of 
the  burning  sticks  rolled  out  of  the  fireplace,  and 
came  to  within  a  few  inches  of  her  dress,  causing 
her  to  start  back,  while  Mr.  Clark  seized  the  tongs 
to  replace  it.  Although  but  a  trifling  incident, 
it  saved  her  from  answering  the  question,  and  when 


CHAIITEII   OAK.  257 

the  conversation  wtis  resumed,  it  was  on  quite  an- 
other subject.  Nancy's  conduct,  however,  had  left 
a  deep  impression  on  Henry  Synnot.  Accustomed 
to  scrutinize  the  features  of  others,  and  to  look  be- 
neath the  surface,  the  suspicion  was  dawning  upon 
him  that  she  might  be  less  zealous  in  favoring  her 
j,arent's  schemes  than  the  latter  imagined,  and 
this  surmise,  far  from  lowering  her  in  his  esteem, 
made  him,  on  the  contrary,  view  her  with  an  in- 
terest which  he  had  not  hitherto  done.  For,  al- 
though he  was  himself  serving  King  James,  he  was 
by  nature  a  high-minded  man,  and  could  not  but 
admire  the  freemen  of  Connecticut  for  the  bold 
stand  they  were  taking  against  their  oppressor. 

"  Yes,"  he  said,  "  I  hke  Miss  Clark  better  for  be- 
ing true  to  her  native  land." 

Before  we  bring  this  chapter  to  a  close,  let  us 
say  a  few  words  regarding  the  officer's  antecedents 
and  parentage.  Henry  Synnot  belonged  to  an  old 
Yorkshire  family,  w^hich  for  generations  had  fur- 
nished to  the  army  of  England,  brave  and  useful 
men.  His  grandfather,  Hugh  Synnot,  had  been 
one  of  the  most  faithful  adherents  of  Charles  the 
First,  and  for  the  courage  he  had  displayed  at  the 
battle  of  Naseby,  in  1645,  where  he  had  received 
three  wounds  endeavoring  to  retrieve  the  fortunes 
of  that  disastrous  day,  the  King  had  created  him  a 
baronet.     At  his  death  the  title  had  descended  to 


258  KOMANCE    OF   THE 

his  eldest  son,  who  duiiiig  the  Protectorate  dwelt 
in  ScotLind,  where  he  was  an  earnest  partisan  of 
the  }oung  Charles  Stuart,  and  who  lived  to  greet 
the  return  of  that  prince  to  England,  in  1660,  as 
Charles  the  Second.  During  his  stay  in  Scotland, 
he  had  married  the  daughter  of  a  chieftain  named 
Macgregor,  who  bore  him  two  sons,  Ralph  and 
Henry.  The  latter  is  the  Captain  Synnot  of  our 
narrative. 

When  Henry  was  in  his  sixteenth  year,  he  had 
been  sent  as  a  page  to  court,  where  his  comeliness 
and  grace  of  manner  soon  made  him  a  general 
favorite.  Amongst  those  who  at  that  time  were 
serving  the  Queen  as  Maids  of  Honor,  the  young- 
est was  Elizabeth  Churchill,  a  girl  of  rare  beauty, 
and  the  daughter  of  Sir  William  Churchill.  Her 
maternal  grandfather  was  the  Eeverend  Stephen 
GofFe,  rector  of  Stamnar,  Sussex,  who,  as  we  re- 
member was  the  parent  of  Gofie,  the  regicide. 
Young  Synnot  had  not  been  many  months  a  page, 
before  he  fell  in  love  with  Elizabeth  Churchill,  and 
being  somewhat  of  an  artist,  he  had  prevailed  upon 
her  to  let  him  take  her  portrait.  This  attachment 
between  the  young  couple  would  doubtless  have 
ended  in  marriage,  but  for  the  young  lady's  death, 
which  happened  when  Henry  was  in  his  eighteenth 
year.  He  soon  afterwards  left  court  and  entered 
the  army,  where  for  a  while  he  served  as  aid-de- 


CHARTER  OAK.  259 

camp  to  the  General  commanding  the  household 
troops.  But  his  restless  spirit  became  dissatisfied 
with  a  position  of  such  ease  and  comfort,  and 
when  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  in  the  wintur  of  1086, 
was  ordered  to  New  England,  he  hastened  to  get 
transferred  to  his  staff.  It  may  appear  strange 
that  one  who,  during  his  life  at  court,  had  been 
thrown  among  many  beautiful  women,  should  have 
become  so  deeply  impressed  by  a  girl  whom  he  had 
met  but  once,  in  an  American  forest.  Yet  often 
since  the  eventful  night  when  he  had  saved  Lydia 
from  death,  her  image  had  risen  before  him  ;  and 
the  idea  that  she  might  be  a  daughter  of  the  regi- 
cide had  only  increased  his  longing  to  see  her 
again  ;  for  if  she  were,  she  would  then  be  cousin  to 
Elizabeth  Churchill.  Although  he  did  not  speak 
about  it  to  Mr.  Clark,  as  they  sat  over  the  fire  this 
evening,  he  was  determined  not  to  leave  Hartford 
without  obtaining  an  interview  with  Lydia.  But 
the  hour  grows  late,  the  knitting-needles  have 
dropped  from  Nancy's  fingers,  her  head  is  nodding, 
it  is  time  for  them  all  to  retire. 


*260  ROMANCE   OF   THE 


CHAPTER   XII. 


The  journey  from  the  log  cabin  to  Hartford  was 
borne  by  the  regicide  with  less  fatigue  than  might 
have  been  expected  of  one  of  his  age  and  infirmi- 
ties ;  and  when  the  family  assembled  next  morning 
for  prayers,  he  took  his  place  in  the  grouj^.  Miss 
Crabtreewas  much  struck  by  his  reverent  demeanor, 
and  she  could  not  help  thinking  as  he  bowed  his 
head,  that  the  patriarchs,  of  whom  she  had  read  in 
Scripture,  must  have  been  men  like  him.  "  I'm 
sure,"  she  said,  "  my  nephew  and  he  will  agree 
well  together,  and  if  they  do,  the  rest'U  follow 
easy  enough  ;  the  girl  will  love  whoever  the  old 
man  loves,  for,  with  all  her  giddiness,  I  can  see  she 
is  devoted  to  him."  But  Charity's  happy  mood 
was  not  destined  to  be  of  long  duration. 

We  remember  that  Wadsworth  had  consented  to 
give  a  husking  party,  and  as  they  sat  around  the 
breakfast  table,  this  morning,  he  told  her  that  he 
could  see  no  reason  Avliy  it  should  be  any  longer 
postponed,  with  which  she  quite  agreed,  and  added, 
that  the  sooner  it  was  given  the  better, 

"  To-morrow  evening  will  suit  me,  Joe ;  the 
cider  is  spoiling  to  be  drunk,  and  the  nuts  will  all 
decay,  unless  they  are  eaten  up  at  once." 

Adams  heard  this  with  a  grin,  and  when  he  rose 


CHALTEll    OAK.  261 

from  the  table,  lie  said  a  longer  grace  than  usual, 
and  could  not  but  believe  he  had  been  unjust  to- 
wards Wadsworth.  "  Yes,  yes,"  murmured  the 
honest  fellow,  "  when  Captain  Joe  appeared  cold 
and  indifferent,  the  first  morning  he  saw  Miss 
Lydia,  he  was  only  bashful.  Since  she's  been  here 
a  great  change  has  come  over  him ;  he  talks  and 
laughs,  and  this  husking  party  will  show  folks  that 
lie  isn't  going  to  live  a  bachelor  for  ever."  Lydia 
ilso  was  delighted  at  the  prospect  of  an  entertain- 
ment so  novel  to  her,  and  wdiere  she  would  have 
an  opportunity  of  meeting  so  many  of  the  Hart- 
ford people. 

The  next  question  to  be  decided  was,  who  were 
to  be  invited.  Miss  Crabtree  accordingly  drew  up 
her  chair  next  to  Wadsworth,  and  for  about  twenty 
minutes  they  Avere  engaged  making  out  a  list  of 
guests.  The  Captain  then  read  it  over  aloud,  and 
when  he  had  got  through,  both  his  aunt  and  Goody 
Garlic  glanced  at  Lydia. 

Nancy  Clark  was  not  among  the  chosen  ones.. 
The  regicide's  daughter  must  have  divined  their 
thoughts  ;  for  approaching  her  host,  she  said  to 
him  in  her  most  winning  way,  "  do  let  my  fiiend 
Nancy  come".  At  the  mention  of  her  name.  Wads- 
worth,  became  suddenly  confused,  and  pressed  his 
L^nd  to  his  forehead.  The  old  aunt  was  eyeing 
him    steadfastly,  but  it    was   not   the   fear  of   dis- 


26i  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

pleasing  her  which  made  him  hesitate  over  his 
answer. 

"  Can  it  be  possible,"  muttered  Charit}^  "  that 
he  will  again  suffer  under  his  roof  the  woman  who 
has  been  the  blight  of  his  life  ?"  Then  remember- 
ing Colonel  Goffe's  presence,  she  made  a  great  ef- 
fort to  restrain  her  tongue ;  but  feeling  that  her 
anger  was  getting  the  better  of  her,  she  hastened 
to  her  bed-room,  where  she  might  give  ^vay  to  it 
unseen.  Ere,  however,  she  reached  the  top  of  the 
staircase,  she  heard  her  nephew  say,  "Yes,  let 
Nancy  come." 

When  he  had  spoken  these  words,  Wadsworth 
groaned  and  hung  his  head.  He  could  not  refuse 
Lydia's  request,  he  felt  himself  completely  in  her 
power  ;  yet,  oh,  what  a  torture  to  have  Nancy  Clark 
at  the  festivity  !  How  her  presence  would  remind 
him  of  that  which  he  would  now  have  given  all 
the  world  to  forget — his  covenant.  His  only  hope 
was  that  she  might  not  accept  the  invitation.  Yet 
even  in  this  hope  there  lurked  a  sting  ;  for  the 
lonely,  retired  life  she  had  led  during  the  past  few 
years,  came — yes,  he  felt  sure  it  did— from  the 
wound  her  heart  had  received  when  she  had  given 
tim  wp — -a  willing  sacrifice,  it  is  true,  and  for  a  holy 
end  ;  yet  the  flame  of  love  still  smouldered  in  her 
breast,  the  wound  had  never  healed,  and  her  very 
absence  would  bring   to  him  sad  memories.     "  Oh 


CHARIER   OAK.  263 

yes,"  he  muriniired,  "  she  released  me  from  my 
plighted  troth,  but  not  iu  order  that  I  might  wed 
another." 

While  these  thoughts  were  pressing  upon  him, 
Ljdia  drew  from  between  his  fingers  the  slip  of 
paper  containing  the  names  ;  then  without  delaying 
longer  than  necessary  to  put  on  her  cloak  and 
hood,  she  sallied  forth,  determined  to  deliver  her- 
self the  invitations,  and  regretting,  as  she  crossed 
the  threshold,  that  Miss  Crabtree  had  not  stayed 
below  to  witness  her  triumph.  What  a  sweet  re- 
venge it  would  have  been  for  the  loss  of  her  curls ! 
She  did  not  stop  to  chat  with  any  of  the  town- 
folks  whom  she  met,  and  who  appeared  as  curious 
as  ever  to  question  her  regarding  herself  and  the 
Captain  of  the  train-band  ;  but  walking  straight 
on,  past  the  green  and  over  the  bridge,  she  was 
soon  at  Mr.  Clark's  house. 

As  she  entered  the  gate,  Henry  Synnot  and  his 
host  w^ere  looking  out  of  the  front  window,  and 
the  officer  could  with  difficulty  restrain  himself  from 
hastening  to  meet  her.  He  feared,  however,  that 
this  might  startle  Lydia,  by  recalling  to  her  mind 
the  important  secret  which  she  had  so  unwittingly 
divulged.  "  No,"  he  thought,  "  it  will  not  do  to 
address  her  here  in  the  presence  of  a  man  whose 
sentiments  towards  the  regicide — who,  mayhap,  is 
her  father — cannot  be  other  than  hostile  ;  such  an 


264  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

interview  would  be  ill-timed."  Yet  lie  was  aston- 
ished to  find  one  whom  he  suspected  to  be  Goffe's 
daughter,  entering  the  dwelling  of  a  zealous  parti- 
san of  the  King.  Yes,  this  puzzled  him.  Might 
it  be  that  she  was  ignorant  of  Mr,  Clark's  senti- 
ments ?  or  perhaps  Nancy,  whom,  doubtless,  she 
was  coming  to  visit,  (and  tliis  suspicion  had  flash- 
ed across  his  mind  before,)  might  not  be  as  devoted 
to  the  royal  cause,  as  lier  parent  believed. 

Lydia  had  jast  reached  the  top  of  the  porch 
when  her  friend  ran  out  and  greeted  her  with  an 
embrace. 

"  Look,"  whispered  Mr.  Clark,  smiling,  "  my 
daughter  plays  her  \)£LVt  well.  But  who  do  you 
think  her  friend  is?  Ha,  ha !  I  will  tell  you  by- 
and-by." 

At  these  words  Synnot  bit  his  lip,  while  a  feehng 
of  shame  came  over  him.  "  I  might,"  he  thought, 
withdrawing  a  little  from  the  window,  yet  still 
gazing  at  Lydia,  "  be  doing  a  nobler  service  than 
carrying  dispatches,  the  purport  of  which  bodes 
only  ill  to  the  freemen  of  Connecticut.  But,  as  I 
live,  if  yonder  girl  does  not  bear  a  strikmg  resem- 
blance to  my  lost  love.  EHzabeth  Churchill  1" 

Lydia  was  taller,  and  had  perhaps  a  more  de- 
termined air ;  yet  there  was  the  same  hazel  eye, 
the  same  dimpled  chin,  which  points  of  resemblance 
had  escaped  him   when  he  hacT  first  seen  her  by 


CH ARTE II   OAK.  265 

moonliglit  in  the  forest ;  but  now  ihvy  luatle  him 
hold  his  breath— it  was  as  if  the  dead  had  riseu  to 
life. 

"  Do  tell  me  who  she  is  ?"  he  urged. 

"  By-and-bj,"  said  his  host,  with  a  grim  smile, 
"by-and-by.  I'm  not  sure  of  it  yet ;  it  is  only  a 
suspicion.  But  this  much  I  will  tell  you,  that  I 
think  she  is  the  same  girl  whom  you  rescued  from 
the  wolves  ;  am  I  right  ?"  Synnot  nodded.  "  I 
never  saw  her  till  the  day  after  your  first  visit  to 
me,"  continued  Mr.  Clark ;  "  she  was  then  riding 
on  a  pillion  behind  the  stiffest  enemy  the  King  has 
in  these  parts.  I'm  very  glad  my  daughter  has  be- 
come intimate  with  her,  for  I  may  thus  be  able 
to  learn  more  of  the  plans  of  Joseph  Wadsworth, 
under  whose  roof  she  is  sojourning.  They  are 
already  like  sisters  ;  see,  here  they  come,  hand  in 
hand."  But,  instead  of  entering  the  parlor,  Lydia 
and  Nancy  went  up  to  the  second  story,  and  Mr. 
Clark  presently  changed  the  conversation,  and  began 
asking  sundry  questions  regarding  Sir  Edmund  and 
his  policy.  But  the  replies  of  his  guest  were  not 
as  clear  as  he  might  have  wished —  Captain  Synnot, 
to  pave  himself,  could  not  drive  Lydia  from  his 
mind,  and  he  w^as  still  thinking  about  her  when  she 
and  Nancy  again  hastily  passed  the  parlor  door 
and  went  out  of  the  house. 

"  'Tis  some  years  since  I've  visited  any  of  the 


^66  HOMANCE   OF  THE 

folks ;  liow  they'll  stare  when  they  see  me  !"  said 
the  latter,  taking  her  friend's  arm. 

"  Well,  unless  iliej  are  uncivil  people,"  remarked 
Ljdia,  "  I'd  not  hold  aloof  from  them  ;  life  is  too 
short  to  spend  in  moping  ;  we  must  make  the  most 
of  it." 

"  So  we  should,  in  a  Christian  way,  and  if  they 
did  not  behave  rudel}'  I  might  now  and  then  pass 
an  hour  with  them ;  but  they  whisper,  and  buzz, 
and  point  their  fingers  when  I  walk  by,  as  if  there 
were  something  odd  about  me.  True,  I  don't  go 
to  meeting."     Here  she  sighed. 

*'Why  do  you  not?"  Nancy  shook  her  head 
and  her  companion  was  trying  to  guess  the  reason, 
when  they  came  to  the  ruling  elder's  abode,  which 
was  the  first  on  the  list.  It  stood  on  the  west  side 
of  the  street,  facing  the  green,  and  Lydia  could  not 
but  think  that  such  a  situation  exactly  suited  a 
being  so  penitential  looking  as  Israel  Barebones- 
the  grave-s'^ones,  the  stocks,  the  whipping-post, 
the  jail,  all  in  full  view  from  his  front  windows. 
The  ruling  elder,  who  had  come  to  the  door  to 
admit  them,  held  out  his  long  middle  finger  towards 
Nancy,  and  as  she  entered,  the  young  woman  cast 
down  her  eyes  as  though  she  felt  crushed  by  his 
presence.  "When  she  had  shaken  it  a  moment  he 
offered  it  to  her  companion ;  but  the  latter  barely 


■  r 


CHARTER   OAK.  267 

touched  it,  tlien  quickly  withdrew  her  hand  with  an 
expression  of  loathing. 

Having  followed  him  into  the  room  where  he 
iTSually  passed  his  forenoons  in  study  and  medi- 
tation, they  sat  down,  and  Nancy  proceeded  to 
inform  him  of  the  object  of  their  visit,  to  which  ho 
listened  without  interrupting  until  she  had  finished, 
then  allowed  more  than  a  minute  to  elapse  before 
he  answered;  and  Lydia,  who  had  expected  to  find 
him  only  too  glad  to  go  to  the  husking,  felt  quite 
indignant  at  his  hesittition.  During  his  silence, 
her  eyes  had  turned  towards  a  table  near  by,  on 
which  lay  a  bi  oad  sheet  of  paper  with  a  strange 
figure  drawn  upon  it,  resembling  a  see-saw,  with  a 
chair  fastened  at  one  end  of  the  board,  and  she  was 
yet  wondering  what  it  might  represent,  when,  hea-v- 
ing  a  deep  sigh,  the  ruhng  elder  told  Nancy  that  he 
would  go.  "But,"  he  added,  *'I  hope  there  Avill  be  no 
signs  of  ungodliness  such  as  I  witnessed  last  year 
at  Mr.  Job's  husking,  where  three  lasses  appeared 
with  blue  ribbons  in  their  hair,  and  sleeves  gather- 
ed up  above  the  elbows.  Ah  !  'twas  a  harrowing 
sight,  and  it  was  thinking  about  it  which  induced 
me  to  turn  my  attention  to  this  " — here  he  faced 
the  table  and  rested  his  pencil  on  the  drawing. 

"  Behold,"  he  continued,  "  my  new-fashioned 
ducking  stool.  With  God's  lielj)  'twill  go  far  to 
check  sinful  luxury  and  display  ;  'twill  also  do  for 


2G8  BOMANCE   OF   THE 

sabbath-breakers," — at  these  words  he  glaiieeJ  at 
Nancy.  "  Three  times  over  head  and  ears,  says 
the  law  for  those  who  have  a  quarrelsome  spirit 
and  an  evil  tongue ;  what  then  should  be  the 
punishment  of  those  who  deck  out  their  bodies  in 
a  style  not  approved  by  the  shepherds  of  the  flock 
and  which  rejoiceth  Beelzebub  ?  I  would  say  duck 
them  six  times  ;  while  sabbath-breakers — "  he  did 
not  finish  the  phrase,  but  Nancy  shuddered.  "  The 
ducking  stool,"  he  continued,  "  which  we  have  thus 
far  been  using,  is  an  antiquated  piece  of  machinery, 
and  besides,  the  water  at  the  willow  tree  is  not 
over  three  feet  deep  and  the  sinner  receives  but  a 
gentle  wetting.  Now  I  have  devised  something 
new,  quite  new.  As  you  perceive,  here  is  a  chair, 
not  dangling  by  a  rope  from  the  limb  of  a  tree,  but 
fastened  to  one  end  of  a  long  board,  the  centre  of 
which  can  rest  upon  a  log,  while  the  sinner  swings 
far  over  the  stream." 

While  he  was  explaining  the  drawing,  his  hand 
trembled,  his  eyes  gleamed  with  fanatic  joy,  and  the 
expression  of  his  face  was  that  of  one  in  an  ecstasy. 
When  he  had  got  through,  Nancy  did  not  utter  a 
word,  nor  show  the  least  sign  of  impatience  ;  but 
Lydia  could  not  conceal  her  feelings,  and  rising 
from  her  seat  she  told  her  friend  that  she  would 
not  hear  another  word  about  ducking-stools  ;  then 
with  a  toss  of  her  head,  she  walked  out. 


CHAKTER   OAK.  269 

Again  did  the  ruling  elder  offer  his  icy  finger  to 
Nanc3%  and  again  the  latter  shook  it ;  then  bend- 
ing down  he  whispered, 

"  Why  do  you  not  reform,  and  go  to  meeting  and 
thereby  set  a  good  exam])le  to  Miss  Garlic,  who, 
unless  I  am  much  deceived,  will  not  readily  own 
the  covenant  ?" 

The  young  woman  murmured,  "  I  will,  I  will ;" 
then  in  a  voice  scarcely  above  a  whisper,  she  bade 
him  good  bye,  and  followed  after  her  friend. 

"  What  a  detestable  man,"  exclaimed  Lydia,  as 
soon  as  the  door  had  closed,  "  I  wish  he'd  not  come 
to  the  husking." 

"  Be  not  too  hasty  in  judging  Mr.  Barebones," 
said  Nancy.  "  I  myself  have  no  great  cause  to  love 
him,  for,  as  I  have  told  you,  I  do  not  go  any  more 
to  meeting,  and  he  may  soon  have  me  punished. 
Yet  we  must  admire  his  zeal ;  if  his  eye  never 
sleeps,  if  he  worries  about  other  folks,  it  is  his 
duty  to  do  so." 

"Well,  I  hate  busy-bodies!"  exclaimed  Lydia, 
who  began  to  realize  more  and  more  what  an  in- 
tolerable yoke  the  Puritan  faith  would  be  to  her. 

Presently  they  came  to  a  house,  much  smaller 
than  the  one  they  had  left,  and  by  the  moss  on 
the  roof  and  the  tumble-down  chimney,  you  could 
see  that  it  had  been  built  a  number  of  years.  It 
had  only   one  window,  which  looked  as  if  it  had 


270  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

not  been  cleaned  since  winter  set  in ;  and  against 
the  dim  glass  inside  were  pressed  two  little  noses, 
while  a  voice  was  singing,  '  Oh,  be  joyful."  The 
singer  stoi3ped  the  moment  th€'y  knocked,  and 
when  the  door  opened,  there  sat  Mr.  Japheth,  look- 
ing the  picture  of  contentment,  hammering  away 
at  a  piece  of  leather,  while  a  lame  boy  and  a  sickly 
girl  stood  partly  concealed  by  tlie  door,  peeping  at 
them. 

*'  Come,  now,  don't  be  sheep-faced,  wipe  your 
noses  and  come  forward,  "he  exclaimed,  addres- 
sing his  children,  at  the  same  time  greeting  Nancy 
and  Lydia  with  a  hearty  shake  of  the  hand ;  and 
as  he  did  so,  the  latter  thought  there  was  more 
kindliness  in  his  one  eye  than  in  all  the  other  eyes 
she  had  ever  seen,  except  her  father's. 

"Come  Tommy,  come  Betsy,  know  ye  not  Miss 
Clark?  And  this  is  a  friend  of  hers;  approach 
and  say,  '  how  d'ye  do  ?'  "  The  children  obeyed, 
then  hastily  shrunk  behind  a  screen,  which  divided 
otf  about  one-half  of  the  room. 

"  How  is  your  wife  ?"  inquired  Nancy,  offering 
to  Lydia  the  bench  which  Mr.  Japheth  drew  up, 
after  having  first  wiped  it  with  his  leathern  apron; 

"  Oh,  she's  well,  and  will  be  glad  to  see  you ; 
won't  you  Kitty  ?"  turning  towards  the  screen  ;  it's 
Miss  Clark  and  a  friend."  A  faint  voice  answered, 
"  yes,  very  glad."     Nancy  now  disappeared,  leaving 


CHARTED   OAK.  271 

her  companion  to  chat  with  the  cobbler,  anl  as  the 
regicide's  daughter  gazed  at  his  jovial  countenance, 
and  then  noticed  the  signs  of  poverty  around  her, 
she  could  not  but  think  how  land  Piovidence  had 
been  to  give  liiui  such  a  happ}^  nature.  How  unlike 
the  well-to-do,  iiioLincholy  Israel  Barebones.  Mr. 
Japhetli  now  [)roceeded  to  relate  to  her  in  simple 
language  his  history,  and  a  monotonous,  matter-of- 
fact  tale  it  was  ;  a  hard  childhood  ;  a  hard  life  all 
along  ;  a  spouse  for  seven  years  bed-ridden,  a  lame 
child.  "But  then,  Miss,"  he  continued,  "I've 
work  enough,  nay,  more  than  I  can  attend  to,  and 
it's  only  after  dusk  I  can  manage  to  slip  off  to  the 
'  Bunch  of  Giapes,'  for  a  game  of  shovel-board." 

While  he  was  narrating  his  past  life,  his  wife  and 
Nancy  were  talking  over  the  town  gossip ;  and  if 
ever  there  was  a  case  in  which  an  almost  morbid 
desire  to  know  what  others  were  saying  and  domg 
was  excusable,  it  surely  was  in  this  poor  woman's. 
"  'Tis  going  on  seven  years  since  I  was  able  to 
stand  on  my  feet,"  she  said ;  "  since  then  I've  been 
in  bed,  hearing  nothing  but  my  husband  hammer- 
ing at  the  pegs,  and  his  cheerful  voice  going  over 
again  the  old  tunes  he  used  to  sing  when  he  was 
courting  me.  Oh,  you  can't  tell  how  glad  I  am  to 
hear  the  news." 

While  she  was  speaking,  Nancy's  attention  had 
been  drawn  to  a  cage  hanging  against  the  white- 


272  EOMANCE   OF   THE 

washed  wall,  in  whicli  a  miserable  robin  was  trim- 
ming its  feathers,  and  as  she  gazed  at  it  the  bird 
opened  its  wings,  as  if  it  hoped  she  had  come  to 
set  it  free. 

"Bob  does  nothing  but  mope,"  continued  Mrs. 
Japheth,  "  you  can  have  him  if  jou  like,  he  would 
be  happier  with  you." 

The  young  woman  shook  her  head.  "  No  more 
pets,  I  get  too  fond  of  them,  and  then  they  die," 
she  answered. 

"Well,  all  our  pets  live,  do  they  not?"  exclaim- 
ed Mr.  Japheth,  who  had  caught  this  last  remark, 
"  and  die  of  old  age." 

"  Of — old — age,"  murmured  his  wife,  straining 
her  hollow  eyes  towards  the  ceiling,  as  if  the  num- 
ber of  years  she  had  yet  to  pass  bed-ridden,  were 
written  there  for  her  to  read.  "  It  seems  a  century 
that  I've  been  as  I  am,  a  century  !"  Then  pausing 
a  moment,  "  How's  Mr.  Wadsworth  ?"  she  whis- 
pered, "  I  am  told  he's  changed  very  much.  Oh  ! 
it's  working  into  his  heart  like  the  fangs  of  a  snake  ; 
he'll  never  get  rest.  Jacob  told  me  all  about  it. 
He  saw  him  making  love  to  you,  and — " 

Here  Nancy  colored  and  placed  her  finger  on  her 
lips  ;  then  bending  down,  with  her  mouth  close  to 
the  woman's  ear,  "  be  charitable  in  your  judgment 
of  Wadsworth,"  she  said.  "  If  he  has  remained 
single,  it  has  been  in  orvler  that  he  might  achieve  a 


CHAllTKR   OAK.  273 

great  end.  In  telling  you  this,  Mrs.  JaplietL,  I  re- 
veal a  secret,  which  I  have  never  breathed  to  another 
human  being." 

"Ah,  child  !  you're  exactly  like  your  poor,  dear 
mother ;  you  can't  see  anything  wrong  in  other 
folks.  Why,  what  is  this  story  I  hear  about  a  young 
woman  who  rides  out  with  him?  she  is  staying  in 
the  same  house,  too.  Ah !  if  he  marries  anyone 
but  you,  a  heavy  judgment  will  rest  upon  him. 
Yet,  unless  my  Jacob  is  greatly  deceived,  Mr. 
Wads  worth  is  about  taking  such  a  step." 

"  May  the  Lord  hear  my  j)i'ayers,"  murmured 
Nancy.  "  No,  I  do  not  believe  it."  Then,  after  a 
short  silence,  she  told  Mrs.  Japheth  it  was  time  for 
her  to  be  going. 

At  this  moment  there  came  a  loud  burst  of 
laughter,  accompanied  by  clapping  of  hands  and 
shouts  from  Tommy  and  his  sister. 

*'A  husking  party,  did  you  say?"  cried  Mr. 
Japheth.  "  Ha,  ha,  ha !  Well,  upon  my  honor, 
the  world's  coming  to  an  end.  Captain  Joseph 
Wadsworth  of  Hartford  town,  shaking  off  his  gloom 
and  going  to  give  a  husking  party !  Well,  if  the  old 
vfoman  says  1  may,  I'll  be  there,  sure." 

Here  Nancy  emerged  from  behind  the  screen, 
and  informed  him  that  his  wife  had  given  her  full 
consent. 

"And  take  me,"  shouted  the  boy. 


274  KOMANCE   OF   THE 

"  And  me  too,"  cried  his  sister. 

"Hut,  tut!  Brats  of  your  age  must  be  abed 
when  tlie  cricket  chirps.  Now  don't  begin  to  bawl ; 
you  shan't  go,"  was  the  mother's  answer. 

The  children  pouted,  and  twining  their  arms 
around  their  father's  neck,  begged  him  to  bring 
them  plenty  of  cookies,  and  a  jar  of  grape  sweet- 
meats, nor  did  they  cease  rubbing  their  dirty  faces 
against  his  beard  until  they  had  made  him  promise 
a  basket  full  of  good  things.  Nancy  now  pressed 
the  tithing  man's  hand,  then,  as  she  bade  good-bye, 
told  him  she  hoped  he  would  enjoy  himself  at  Mr. 
Wadsworth's. 

"  No  danger  of  my  doing  otherwise,"  he  said, 
"  and  you  must  be  there  too."  The  young  woman, 
without  making  any  answer,  raised  the  latch  and 
passed  out ;  but  Lydia,  who  lingered  a  step  behind 
gave  him  a  significant  nod. 

"  Yes,  to  please  me  you  must  come,"  said  the 
latter,  after  the  door  had  closed  ;  "  if  you  don't, 
then  I  won't  show  myself  either.  In  Miss  Crab- 
tree's  presence  I  told  the  Captain  I  wanted  you, 
and  I  repeat,  you  are  invited." 

Still  Nancy  remained  silent.  The  expression  of 
her  face  was  calm  ;  it  revealed  nothing  of  the  grief 
that  was  in  her  heart.  What  if  the  gossip  of  the 
town  should  prove  true  ? — what  then? — submission 
to  God's  will.     "  Yes,"  she  sighed,  "  yes,  I  will  bear 


CHAETEIi   OAK.  275 

my  cross  to  the  end,  and  never  cease  praying  for 
him.     Poor  Wadswortli !" 

The  friends  now  visited  a  number  of  other  fami- 
lies, with  each  one  leaving  an  invitation  to  the 
husking  irdvij,  and  everywhere  it  was  accepted 
with  the  exclamation,  "  We'll  be  there,  sure  !" 

The  last  place  they  went  to  was  the  cabin,  at  the  ex- 
treme south  end  of  the  town,  inhabited  by  Mrs  Bull, 
where  their  knock  was  answered  by  a  voice  shriller 
than  Jacob  Japheth's,  yet  full  as  cheery,  and  which 
bade  them  "  enter  and  be  joll}',"  As  Lydia  cross- 
ed the  threshold,  her  attention  immediately  fasten- 
ed on  the  widow,  a  corpulent  dame  of  fifty  sum- 
mers, who  was  ensconsed  in  a  broad  arm-chair  read- 
ing a  book,  which  she  hastily  thrust  under  her 
apron  as  tliay  approached.  "  Welcome  to  you 
both,"  exclaimed  the  good  woman,  tossing  back  a 
profusion  of  yellow  ringlets  decked  with  divers 
colored  ribbons,  "Welcome  to  you  both."  Then 
eyeing  the  regicide's  daughter,  "  I  could  vow.  Miss," 
she  said,  "  I've  seen  you  somewhere  afore." 

*'  Yes,  a  few  days  ago,  riding  by  with  Captain 
Wadsworth,"  replied  L3"dia. 

"  Oh  !  afore  that.  I  said  to  myself  then  your 
face  was  familiar.  My  sight's  keen  and  I've  a  good 
memory  ;  no,  no  !"  Then  drawing  the  girl  nearer 
and  placing  her  mouth  to  her  ear  :  "  I  saw  you," 
she  whispered,  "  in  my  old  house,  the  one  I  used 


276  •     ROMANCE   OF  THE 

to  live  in  afore  my  husband  was  lost  on  the  Polly 
Ann,  and  afore  debt  obliged  me  to  sell  out  and 
move  here.  Your  father  was  with  you.  But,  Miss 
Goife,  mum's  the  word." 

At  these  words  the  color  fled  from  Lydia's  cheek  ; 
what  the  dame  said  was  enough  to  startle  her. 
''  How  many,"  she  asked  herself,  "  are  going  to 
know  my  true  name;  how  many?"  Presently,  Mrs. 
Bull  turned  to  Nancy  and  inquired  how  she  had 
been  of  late  and  what  was  the  news. 

"  Well,  God  has  blessed  me  with  fair  health,"  re- 
plied the  young  woman.  "  As  for  news  there's  very 
little."  At  this  Mrs.  Bull  gave  Lydia  a  wink,  then 
again  placing  her  mouth  to  the  girl's  ear,  "  I've 
heard  all  about  it,  Miss  Goffe,"  she  whispered,  "  oh, 
all  about  it ;  he  didn't  take  you  on  his  pillion  for 
nothing.  Well,  he's  an  honest  man,  a  clever  man, 
and  you'll  make  up  for  his  one-sided  views  in  re- 
ligion, by  your  strong  common  sense,  and  your 
bright  face  will  drive  away  his  melanchol3\  When 
he  speaks  against  my  ribbons,  say  a  word  in  my 
defense  ;  where' s  the  sin  in  'em  ?" 

"  None  at  all,  goodwife,"  replied  Lydia,  blush- 
ing, and  half  inclined  to  chide  the  widow  for  making 
so  free  with  a  foolish  piece  of  gossip  ;  "  and  I  hope 
you  may  wear  them  to-morrow  evening  at  the 
husking  the  Captain  is  to  give.     My  friend  and  I 


CHAETEIl   OAK.  277 

have  been  going  about  inviting  folks,  and  that  is 
what  brings  us  here." 

"  A  husking  partj  at  Captain  Joe's !"  exchiinied 
the  dame.  "  Well,  really,  1  Clhn  L  think  it  had  gui.e 
so  far.  Oh,  Cupid,  Cupid  !"  here  she  rolled  up  her 
eyes,  while  Lj^lia  again  blushed.  "  Out  to  come 
back  to  my  ribbons,  I'd  scarcely  venture  out  with 
them.  Oh,  you  ain't  been  long  enough  in  Hart- 
ford to  know  what  asses  the  people  are.  Why, 
they  hardly  dare  breathe  after  the  sun  goes  down 
on  the  seventh  day  for  fear  of  breaking  the  sabbath, 
and  although  the  huskings  thej^  give  are  pleasant 
enough,  they'd  be  ten  times  jollier  if  I  had  my 
way." 

"Pray,  v/hat  changes  would  you  introduce?"  in- 
quired Nancy. 

"  Why,  Miss  Clark,  I'd  let  the  young  folks  dance, 
that's  what  I'd  do  ! — give  them  more  liberty,  and 
there' d  be  less  sinning.  As  it  is,  they  kiss  and 
dance  on  the  sh',  behind  barns  and  haystacks,  and 
when  they're  out  after  huckleberries.  Then,  when 
they  go  home,  they  put  on  faces  a  yard  long  and 
look  as  if  their  souls  were  made  of  starch.  Why, 
even  this  is  condemned" — drawing  from  under  her 
apron  the  volume  she  had  hidden  when  her  visitors 
had  entered — "  and  yet  it's  next  to  the  Bible  iu 
wisdom." 

Ljdia  now  for  the  first  time  in  her  life  beheld  a 


278  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

copy  of  Shakspeare,  and  opening  it  at  tlie  dog-leaf 
found  that  the  widow  had  been  reading  the  "  Merry 
Wives  of  Windsor."  Nancy,  who  knew  that  it  was 
a  forbi(Men  book,  shook  her  head  and  was  almost 
regretting  that  she  had  introduced  Lydia  to  such  a 
person  as  the  widow,  when  suddenly  the  latter 
turned  towards  her,  and  grasping  her  hand  : 

"  You'll  not  tell  on  me.  Miss  Clark  ?"  she  said, 
"oh,  do  not." 

"  Nobody  shall  hear  about  your  Shakespeare," 
replied  Nancy,  "  but " 

"  Never  mind,  never  mind,"  continued  the  dame, 
"  don't  begin  to  lecture  me.  Besides,  aint  you  a 
sinner  too  ?  Ha,  ha !  Mr.  Barebones  will  be  after 
us  both  afore  long.  I  know  he  misses  you  at 
meeting.  He's  always  pryin'  into  other  folks'  busi- 
ness, and  if  he  keeps  on  much  longer  I'll  just  sell 
out  and  move  to  Ehode  Island,  where  they're  more 
liberal.  God  bless  Boger  Widiams !"  Here  she 
drew  her  sleeve  across  her  eyes,  then  thrusting  her 
hand  into  her  pocket,  pulled  out  a  small  piece  of 
rope  which  smelt  strongly  of  tar,  and  gazed  affec- 
tionately at  it. 

"  Oh,  if  my  dear  old^  man  was  livin' !"  she  sighed, 
"  he'd  not  let  the  ruling  elder  worry  the  life  out  o' 
me.  This,  girls,  is  a  relic  of  the  Polly  Ann,  which 
foundered  off  Cape  Cod  last  winter  a  year.  It  has 
a.  perfume  sweeter  to  me  than  roses  ;  its  tarry  odor 


CHARTER   OAK.  279 

brings  my  husband  right  before  me  again."  Here 
she  pressed  it  agamst  her  nose,  then  offered  it  to 
Nancy  and  Lydia,  who  each  in  turn  took  a  whiff. 
Presently  tlie  former  made  a  move  to  depart.  The 
truth  is,  she  was  not  a  little  scandalized  by  the 
widow's  conversation,  and  deeply  regretted  the  ef- 
fect it  might  have  on  her  friend.  Mrs.  Bull  urged 
them  to  stay  awhile  longer,  but  Nancy  refused,  and 
entwining  her  arm  in  Lydia's,  withdrew.  But  be- 
fore fchey  reached  the  door,  Mrs.  Bull  managed  to 
rise  from  her  chair  and  overtake  them,  and  then 
for  the  third  time  whispered  something  which  made 
the  regicide's  daughter  blush. 

"  1  tell  you  he's  melancholy  because  he's  a  bach- 
elor," said  the  dame  ;  "  but  Cupid's  at  work,  he'll 
change  it  all." 

With  this  they  separated,  and  Lydia,  as  she 
walked  off,  could  not  help  thinking  that  the  settle- 
ment would  be  a  much  pleasanter  place  to  live  in 
if  there  were  more  such  characters  as  the  one  they 
had  just  parted  from. 

Their  round  of  visits  was  now  completed,  and  all 
who  had  been  asked  to  the  husldng  had  signified 
a  willingness  to  go  except  Nancy,  and  Lydia  was 
determined  not  to  return  to  Mr.  Wadsworth's  until 
her  friend  had  given  her  a  definite  answer,  as  to 
whether  she  would  be  there  or  no.  It  was  not,  how- 
ever, until  they  reached  the  gate  in  froDt  of  her  fa- 


280  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

ther\s  house  that  the  young  woman  finally  consent- 
ed. "  Yes,  I  wiU  be  there,"  she  said,  as  she  turned 
and  entered  the  little  boxwood  path ;  "  I  promise 
you  I  will."  Then  walking  away,  "  No,  I  cannot 
beHeve  it,"  she  murmured,  "  no,  no,  I  cannot." 


CHAPTEE  XIII. 

Lydia,  as  we  remember,  had  concealed  the  map 
of  the  colonies  under  her  bed  and  we  cannot  won- 
der if  this  large,  ghostly  mansion  seemed  more 
ghostly  than  ever  since  her  strange  discovery  in 
the  garret.  She  was  not,  it  is  true,  of  a  nature  to 
yield  lightly  to  superstitious  fear  ■ — her  joyous 
temperament  would  have  revolted  at  such  a  thing  ; 
nevertheless  she  was  human  and  even  the  brightest 
of  us  feel  at  times  that  there  are  moving  around 
•QS  beings  invisible  to  mortal  eye,  and  that  the 
spirit  world  is  very  close  to  mother  earth.  "  Yes," 
thought  the  girl- as,  tired  out  with  her  round  of 
visits,  she  entered  her  apartment  and  looked  to  see 
if  the  map  was  where  she  had  left  it — "  there 
is  something  mysterious  about  this  house,  I  would 
not  be  astonished  if  the  chart  were  gone."  But 
no,  there  it  lay.  Just  then  one  of  the  horse  shoes 
hanging  at  the  bed-post  fell  to  the  floor  with 
a   clang,    and   from   every  part  of   the  room,  the 


CHAllTER    OAK.  '281 

dormer  window,  the  ancient  chest,  the  chair  in 
which  the  Wadsworths  seemed  fond  of  dying,  tliere 
came  answering  clangs.  "  I  don't  think  I  ever  could 
like  this  abode,"  she  said,  replacing  the  charm  ; 
'  no  wonder  my  host  rarely  smiles  ;  I'm  thinking 
I'll  become  gloomy  too  if  this  is  to  be  my  home." 
Presently,  her  eyes  rested  on  the  piece  of  furni- 
ture which  she  had  christened  the  "  dead  man's 
seat,"  and  as  she  gazed  at  it  wished  that  she  had 
strength  enough  to  carry  it  up  into  the  attic  where 
it  would  be  out  of  her  sight.  In  the  meanwhile 
Miss  Crabtree  was  at  work  below,  and  as  the  dame 
bustled  about  she  was  revolving  in  her  mind 
whether  it  was  not  unwise  to  nurse  her  wrath 
against  her  young  guest.  If  Nancy  Clark  were  to 
appear  at  the  husking,  might  not  Goody  Garlic 
keep  an  eye  upon  her  and  perhaps  hinder  her  from 
speaking  to  Wadsworth  ?  "  Yes,"  said  the  old  maid, 
"  it's  foolish  to  stay  in  a  miff ;  I'll  ask  the  girl  to 
come  down  and  help  me."  With  this  she  went  to 
the  foot  of  the  staircase  and  gave  a  call.  The  shrill 
voice  passed  by  the  bed-room  door,  then  up  into  the 
garret,  where  i?t  died  away  among  the  rubbish  and 
rat  holes,  and  so  exactly  did  it  chime  in  with 
Lydia's  feelings,  that  the  latter  half  believed  it  was 
the  voice  of  a  witch.  The  girl  did  not  obey  with 
much  alacrity,  and  it  was  not  until  Prudence  had 
seconded  her  friend's  request  that  she  prepared  to 


282  ROMANCE  OP  THE 

descend,  taking  with  her  the  map,  which  she  re- 
gretted not  having  before  restored  to  its  owner. 
Miss  Crabtree  met  her  at  the  foot  of  the  steps,  her 
hands  and  arms  white  with  flour  and  her  mouth 
set  in  its  own  peculiar  grin. 

"  Honey,"  she  exclaimed,  "  don't  be  angry  with 
what  I  said  to  you  this  morning  ;  you're  a  dear 
good  girl,  and  I  want  you  to  help  me  prepare  the 
cakes  and  tarts  for  to-morrow ;  Prudence  says 
you're  right  smart  at  cookin'."  With  this,  she 
pressed  her  lips  to  Lydia's  forehead.  "I'm  hasty, 
dear,  I  know  I  am,"  she  continued,  "  but  you  mustn't 
mind  me ;  I'm  not  as  bad  as  I  seem.  If  you  want 
Nancy  Clark  at  the  husking,  why  let  her  come,  I'll 
give  her  welcome." 

Softened  and  deceived  by  these  words,  Lydia 
immediately  put  on  a  greasy  apron  which  the  old 
maid  handed  her,  and  tucking  up  her  sleeves, 
prepared  to  lend  her  assistance  at  the  oven.  But 
presently,  remembering  the  map,  she  excused  her- 
self, then  without  waiting  to  knock,  entered  the 
library,  where  she  found  Wadsworth  busy  looking 
over  a  pile  of  letters,  which  he  pushed  aside  as  she 
appeared,  and  with  a  smile  asked  what  book  she 
had  come  to  read.  But  scarcely  had  the  words 
passed  his  lips,  when  his  countenance  assumed  an 
expression  of  awe. 

"  Where  did  you  find  that  ?"  he  whispered,  point 


CHAETER   OAK.  283 

ing  at  the  map  ;  "  oh  !  you  cannot  tell  how  its  dis- 
appearance has  worried  me." 

"I  found  it,  sir,  in  the  garret  last  evening," 
answered  Lydia,  "  and  beg  pardon  for  not  having 
restored  it  sooner." 

Here  the  Captain  gazed  steadfastly  at  her  for 
nearly  a  minute,  then  seizing  her  hand,  "  I  feared 
Miss,"  he  said,  in  a  voice,  low,  yet  full  of  earnest- 
ness, "  I  feared  the  mysterious  Power  which  had 
given  me  the  map,  had  taken  it  away  as  a  warn- 
ing. But  no,  no,  I  was  mistaken ;  my  good 
angel — "  With  this  he  suddenly  paused  and  let 
her  hand  fall.  "  No,"  he  murmured,  "  I  will  not 
tell  her  all  that  I  feel,  it  would  be  breaking  the  law 
— I  have  not  yet  asked  her  father's  consent."  The 
girl,  with  a  deep  flush  on  her  face,  for  the  eyes  of 
her  host  were  piercing  her  through  and  through, 
and  revealing  his  thoughts  as  plainly  as  if  he  had 
spoken  them,  now  withdrew  to  the  other  room,  glad 
to  escape  from  the  singular  being,  who  at  one  time 
appeared  to  avoid  her,  at  another  to  draw  her  to- 
wards him,  and  wishing,  as  she  had  already  so 
often  done,  that  Wadsworth  might  have  proved  to 
be  the  stranger  whom  she  had  met  in  the  forest. 

While  she  was  at  work  helping  Miss  Crab  tree, 
the  Captain  would  every  now  and  then  open  the 
door  and  take  a  peep,  while  Miles  would  thrust  his 
)7  3ad  out  too  and  sniff  the  air;  but   she  did  not  al- 


284  ROMANCE   OP   THE 

low  this  to  distract  her — steadily  she  worked,  and 
before  the  clock  struck  eleven  the  whole  floor,  from 
the  east  window  to  the  cupboard  on  the  other  side 
of  the  room  was  covered  with  pies.  There  were 
pumpkin  pies,  of  course,  and  apple  pies,  and  peach 
pies,  and  mince  pies,  and  grape  tarts,  and  cakes  in 
numbers  infinite ;  while  the  flour  barrel,  which  at 
first  had  been  full  to  the  brim,  was  now  so  empty 
that  3^ou  could  see  the  bottom.  During  the  hours 
they  were  thus  employed,  making  ready  for  the 
morrow's  cheer,  Mr.  Clark  and  the  British  officer 
were  seated  in  front  of  a  roaring  fire,  cracking  nuts 
aud  talking  about  the  husking  party,  which  Nancy 
on  her  return  home,  had  told  them  was  to  be  given 
the  following  evening.  "  I  should  have  forbidden 
my  daughter  to  go,"  said  Mr.  Clark,  "as  Wadsworth 
and  I  are  not  on  speaking  terms,  did  I  not  hope 
that  she  might  be  able  to  gather  from  those  whom 
she  will  meet  there  some  information  which  would 
prove  useful  to  Sir  Edmund.  Yerily,  Nancy  is 
playing  her  part  well ;  her  new  friend,  it  seems, 
came  this  morning  on  purpose  to  invite  her." 

"  Should  Miss  Clark  not  object,'*  returned  Henry 
Synnot,  "  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  be 
her  escort.  I  told  his  Excellency  I  might  not  re- 
turn to  Boston  as  quickly  as  last  time,  so  a  little 
delay  will  cause  no  surprise." 


CHARTEE  OAK.  28n 

At  this  remark  Mr.  Clark  conld  not  conceal  his 
satisfaction  ;  he  rubbed  his  hands  and  chuckled. 
"  If  my  daughter's  not  a  downright  fool,"  lie 
s'aid  to  himself,  "  she'll  encourage  our  guest  in  his 
attentions  ;  so  far,  everything  looks  bright." 

Then,  as  he  threw  another  stick  of  hickory  on 
the  iiro,  he  told  the  officer  that  he  would  see  much 
to  interest  him  at  the  husking,  where  he  would 
have  an  opportunit}^  of  meeting  a  large  number  of 
people  together,  and  might  give  a  better  report  to 
his  Excellency  as  to  the  sort  of  men  the  royal 
troops  would  have  to  deal  with,  in  case  matters 
came  to  a  crisis. 

"  You'll  be  astonished,"  he  added,  "  at  the  inde- 
pendent tone  which  many  of  them  hold  towards 
England;  one  might  imagine  there  was  no  such 
being  on  earth  as  King  James.  But  disguise  your- 
self, sir,  as  my  political  opinions  are  well  known  ; 
otherwise,  seeing  you  and  my  Nancy  together,  they 
might  not  be  so  free  of  speech  ;  nay,  they  might 
even  use  \iolence  towards  you." 

To  this  the  Captain  raised  no  objection,  albeit 
the  disgust  he  was  beginning  to  feel  for  the  service 
he  was  engaged  in,  was  not  lessened  by  his  host's 
proposition  to  enter  Wadsworth's  house,  seemingly 
at  least,  in  the  character  of  a  spy.  But  Lydia 
Goffe  would  be  there,  and  his  desire  to  speak  to 
her  once  more  smothered  every  other  feeling.     She 


286  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

was,  it  is  true,  the  daughter  of  a  regicide.  "  But 
after  all,"  thought  Sjnnot,  "what  her  father  did 
was  for  the  good  of  England.  I  begin  to  wish  our 
present  monarch  had  a  few  such  brave  hearts  to 
raise  their  voices  against  his  tyranny.  Unless 
King  James  alters  his  course,  I  would  not  marvel 
if  ere  long  we  had  a  change  of  sovereign  ;  and  be- 
tween the  going  out  of  the  old,  and  the  coming  in 
of  the  new,  these  colonies  may  manage  to  secure 
their  independence.  If  that  day  ever  arrives,  woe 
to  men  like  my  host,"  Were  he  to  disguise  himself, 
however,  it  would  be  necessary  to  do  so  with  the 
greatest  skill,  as  the  letter  which  he  brought  from 
Andros  had  been  delivered  to  Governor  Treat  that 
afternoon  in  the  General  Court  Chamber  where 
many  of  the  towns-folk  had  had  a  good  look  at 
him.  It  was  accordingly  agreed  that  he  should 
wear  an  old  wig  which  had  belonged  to  his  host's 
father. 

*'  I  defy  the  keenest  of  them  to  recognize  you," 
said  Mr.  Clark,  "  when  you  have  it  on,  and  I'll  add 
to  it  a  deerskin  jacket  and  trousers,  and  a  pair  of 
heavy  top  boots." 

"  Clumsy  things  to  dance  in,"  rejoined  the  officer. 

"  To  dance  in !  By  my  faith,  sir,  that  is  an 
amusement  unknown  from  the  Hudson  river  to  the 
farthest  limits  of  Maine.  Dancing!  ha,  ha,  ha! 
you  might  more  easily  take  away  their  charter  than 


CHARTER   OAK.  287 

prevail  on  these  Puritans  to  imitate  King  David  in 
that  respect,  although  they  pretend  to  have  such  a 
gi*eat  reverence  for  scrip tuie." 

"  Well,  if  I  had  an  instrument  to  play  on  I  would 
at  least  tempt  them.  " 

"  There's  a  bagpipes  up  in  the  garret,  left  by  a  re- 
demptioner"*  who  used  to  be  in  my  service,"  rejoin- 
ed Mr.  Clark;  "you  may  take  it  with  you  if  you 
like,  but  scarcely  with  my  advice  —  the  shock  to 
these  godly  folks  would  be  worse  than  an  earth- 
quake and  your  life  might  be  in  danger." 

Such  an  argument  only  made  the  Captain,  whose 
nature  was  full  of  fun,  more  determined  than  ever 
to  start  a  dance  at  the  husking. 

"Dimpled  chins  are  not  given  to  scruples," 
thought  he,  "  and  I  know  Miss  Goffe  will  not  frown, 
whatever  the  rest  may  do  ;  so  I'll  risk  the  anger  of 
all  Hartford  and  take  the  bagpipes  under  one  arm 
and  Miss  Clark  under  the  other.  Who  knows  but 
even  this  demure  young  woman  may  dance  too 
when  she  sees  the  others  at  it."  And  so  they  sat 
together,  smoking  their  pipes  and  conversing  until 
midnight. 

But  in  Wadsworth's  house  the  lamp  was  yet  burn- 
ing when  the  clock  struck  one,  and  as  the  sound 
died  away.  Miss  Crabtree  turned  the  flour  barrel 

*  One  whose  services  were  sold  to  pay  the  expenses  of  bis  paa- 
Ktge  to  America. 


288  BOMANCE    OF   THE 

bottom  up  as  a  sign  tliat  her  task  was  completed. 
Every  shelf  in  the  cupboard  was  groaning  unde? 
the  weight  of  pies,  tarts  and  cakes,  and  nobody 
could  say  that  the  oven  had  not  done  its  duty, 
But  although  they  were  all  very  drowsy,  the  dame 
would  not  let  her  companions  quit  the  lower  room, 
till  everything  had  been  put  away  as  neatly  as  if  it 
had  been  a  sabbath  morn.  Not  a  particle  of  any- 
thing was  left  o  n  the  floor  for  the  mice  to  eat ;  no, 
not  a  single  crumb. 

"  Crumbs  draw  vermin,"  she  said,  "  and  them  I 
hate  worse  than  'pisen ;'  so,  sweep  clean,  sweep 
clean !"  Then  before  she  followed  them  up  the 
staircase,  she  put  her  mouth  to  the  keyhole  of  the 
study  and  begged  Wadsworth  to  have  the  nuts 
brought  down  before  sunrise. 

A  voice  from  within  responded,  "  all  right," 
and  the  good  woman  turned  to  depart ;  but  ere 
she  reached  the  foot  of  the  steps,  she  halted,  and 
after  musing  a  moment,  went  back  to  the  library 
door,  and  in  a  gentle  voice  said,  "  Now,  Joe,  you'd 
better  go  to  bed,  you're  suffering  for  want  of  sleep  ; 
oh,  yes,  you  are." 

But  "Wadsworth  paid  no  heed  to  her  ad^dce  and 
remained  writing  despatches  to  the  different  train- 
bands of  the  colony,  till  the  clock  struck  three. 


tJHARTER   OAK.  289 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  morrow  opened  bright  and  clear,  and  Miss 
Crabtree,  who  seemed  never  to  know  what  it  was 
to  feel  fatigue,  was  bustling  about  not  many  min- 
utes after  the  watchman  had  sounded  his  bell. 
She  took  a  wonderful  delight  in  counting  over  the 
pies  and  cookies,  and  her  nephew,  who  was  down 
soon  after  herself,  (he  had  had  but  one  hour's  sleep) 
instead  of  being  allowed  to  pass  the  time,  until 
breakfast,  among  his  books,  was  sent  up  into  the 
garret  after  the  nuts,  carrying  on  each  arm  an  im- 
mense basket ;  and  as  there  were  many  such  trips 
to  be  made  before  a  supply  sufficient  for  the 
numerous  guests  could  be  brought  down,  he  in- 
wardly resolved,  despite  any  whim  of  his  aunt's  to 
have  the  next  crop  of  nuts  placed  on  a  lower  floor, 
where  they  might  be  more  easily  got  at. 

The  whole  day  was  one  of  preparation.  Charity, 
who  never  seemed  to  think  the  house  clean  enough, 
had  the  poor  servant-maid  on  her  knees  scrubbing, 
hour  after  hour ;  the  tiniest  cobweb  was  brushed 
from  the  remotest  nook,  and  it  was  a  woeful  day 
for  the  spiders,  while  Miles  Standish  could  only 
find  peace  by  keeping  close  to  his  master.  The 
windows  were  washed  and  rubbed,  and  rubbed  and 
washed  again,  until — but  for  the  sun,  which  insisted 


290  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

on  sending  in  its  beams — jou  might  have  fancied 
it  was  raining  hard.  Towards  her  nephew's  study 
many  a  longing  glance  did  the  good  woman  cast 
It  seemed  a  shame  that  he  should  not  allow  it  to 
be  thrown  open  for  the  use  of  the  company.  But 
Wadsworth,  in  all  other  matters  willing  and 
obedient,  stood  firm  on  this  point,  and  the  only 
person  besides  himself  who  was  given  the  key  of 
the  room  during  the  day,  was  Lydia.  But  the  girl 
merely  arranged  his  books  and  dusted  the  table, 
then  came  out,  obstinately  refusing  to  tell  the  aunt 
aught  about  the  mjsterious  apartment.  Every 
person  who  went  by  the  mansion  stared  hard  at  it, 
for  the  news  of  the  husking  had  spread  far  and 
wide,  and  it  was  considered  the  greatest  eveut,  not 
of  this  year  only  but  of  the  past  five  years.  All 
Hartford  believed  that  the  Captain  was  at  last 
going  to  take  to  himself  a  wdfe. 

"  This  party,"  said  Faith  Genness,  she  who  had 
approved  of  Lydia's  curls  the  first  day  the  stranger 
had  appeared  with  them  on  Main  street,  "  is  given 
to  bring  the  courtin'  to  a  head.  Shouldn't  wonder 
a  bit,  if  we  watch  sharp  to  night,  we'll  see  Captain 
Joe  poppin'  the  question." 

"  Well,  I  wonder  how  old,  Miss  Garlic  is  ?"  said 
Dorothy  Philbrick,  who  was  out  Avalking  with  her 
friend,  and  like  the  latter  drawn  towards  the  north 
end  of  the  town  through  sheer  curiosity. 


CHARTER   OAK.  291 

"  Looks  is  deceiviuV'  answered  Faith,  "  but  I 
guess  slie's  older  than  what  you  or  I  be,  judgin' 
from  the  size  of  them  curls  what  she  wore  t'other 
day." 

*'  Can't  judge  by  that,  Faith,  for  we  ain't  never 
been  let  have  our'n  grow.  Guess  don't  take  many 
seasons  for  'em  to  reach  the  waist  like  hers  did." 

"Well,  I  wish  we  was  let  have  'em." 

''  So  do  I,"  rejoined  Dorothy,  "  and  I  thought  so 
the  first  time  I  saw  this  girl  with  'em  on,  but  I 
didn't  like  to  own  up.  And  w^hat's  more,  a  few  rib- 
bons would  do  us  no  hurt  either." 

"  Nor  short  sleeves,  Dorothy,  at  least  on  the  Sab- 
bath, and  they  might  let  us  dance  once  in  a  while, 
say  on  Thi»,nksgivin'  day." 

"  So  they  might ;  I  know  I'd  be  a  better  Christian 
if  I  didn't  have  to  look  so  godly ;  bein'  and  lookin' 
is  two  different  things.  It's  time  our  lavvs  were 
changed ;  there's  too  much  of  this  ducking-stool 
business,  and  settin'  folks  in  the  stocks  every  time 
the}'  go  a  mite  out  of  the  way.  I  wish  our  ruling, 
elder  would  move  to  some  othei  town  ;  it's  he  causes 
all  the  botlu-r.  He  .^  eems  to  be  everywhere  at  the 
same  time,  and  came  mighty  near  catching  Todj 
Hubbard  and  me  kissin'  last  fall,  when  we  was  out 
nuttin,'  and  in  a  spot,  too,  where  Fd  have  vowed 
no  eye  but  God's  was  watchin'  us."  Here  they  both 
stopped  and  gazed  at   tlie  Wadswovtli    mansion,  in 


292  ROMANCE   OP  THE 

the  open  doorway  of  which  Lvdia  and  the  Caj)tain 
were  standing  side  by  side. 

"  She  looks  like  a  bold  piece,"  said  Faith.  "  And 
I'm  glad  of  it,"  answered  Dorothy  ;  "  Wadsworth's 
marriage  may  bring  about  a  great  change  in  Hart- 
ford. I  can't  believe  she'll  bend  to  our  strict  ways  ; 
and  if  she  once  gets  her  husband  from  under  the 
thumb  of  Increase  Mather,  -whom  he  considers  the 
best  and  greatest  man  on  earth,  then  ^ve  gals  may 
have  a  chance  at  ribbons  and  short  sleeves.  Cap- 
tain Joe's  influence  is  about  as  great  as  Israel 
Barebones' ;  there's  nobody  can  speak  so  well  at 
town  meetings ;  he's  popular  with  everybody,  and 
I  can't  help  thinking  if  he  once  sets  his  face  against 
our  foolish  laws,  that  they'll  be  repealed." 

"  Be  not  too  confident  of  a  reformation,"  said 
Faith,  "  self-willed  as  Miss  Garlic  appears,  she  has 
already  submitted  to  the  loss  of  her  curls." 

"  Ha  !  a  piece  of  female  art,"  pursued  Dorothy  ; 
when  she  gets  Captain  Joe  fast  hooked,  take  my 
word  for  it  she'll  let  'em  grow  again." 

With  these  remarks,  they  continued  their  way 
along  the  street,  while  at  the  same  moment  Lydia 
and  her  host  withdrew  from  the  porch  and  went 
into  the  barn,  which,  like  all  such  structures  in 
New  England,  was  joined  to  the  dwelling-house  by 
a  shed.  There  a  redemptioner  was  busy  piling  on 
the  threshing-floor  the  corn  which  was  to  be  husked 


CHARrEB   OAK.  293 

that  evening,  and  after  the  girl  had  watched  him  a 
moment  and  satisfied  herself,  fmm  his  fat  and  jovial 
face,  that  he  had  a  kind  master,  she  turnetl  and 
gazed  up  on  the  lofty  rafters,  then  on  the  moun- 
tains of  hay,  and  straw,  and  corn-stalks,  which 
stretched  away  in  the  shadowy  distance,  and  she  al- 
most wished  she  might  live  in  the  baru  instead  of 
the  house,  it  did  look  so  comfortable.  "  The  swal- 
lows," she  thought,  "  must  certainly  be  fond  of  the 
place,  the  whole  roof  is  dotted  with  their  nests." 

Presently  she  began  husking  an  ear  of  corn,  and 
as  the  Captain  watched  her  his  heart  throbbed,  but 
he  said  nothing— the  laws  of  Connecticut  forbade 
courting  a  maiden  without  first  asking  the  parent's 
consent,  and  as  he  had  not  yet  done  this,  he  felt 
that  it  would  be  more  prudent  not  to  trust  his  tongue 
too  far.  Once,  while  he  was  watching  her,  he 
struck  his  hand  upon  his  brow,  then  turned  round 
and  muttered  something,  which,  to  Lydia's  ear, 
sounded  very  strange  indeed.  "  Why  do  you  haunt 
me  ?"  he  whispered,  "  begone,  begone." 

His  face  at  this  moment  was  terribly  agitated, 
and  when  he  again  rested  his  eyes  upon  her,  there 
was  a  fire  in  them  which  went  to  the  girl's  very 
soul.  Oh  !  it  was  a  great  relief  when  the  voice 
of  his  aunt  was  heard  calling  him  away. 

At  length  evening  approached,  and  the  nearer 
the  sun  got  to  the  horizon,  tlie  more  fidgety  did 


294  BOMANCE   OF   THE 

Miss  Crabtree  become  ;  at  least  ouce  a  minute  she 
wiped  lier  face  with  her  apron,  then  felt  to  see  if 
her  top-knot  was  all  right. 

"  I  hope  everything  will  go  o£f  well,"  she  mut- 
tered, pinching  the  arm  of  the  unfortunate  servant 
girl  who  had  thrown  herself  in  a  chair,  not  because 
she  was  tired  or  lazy,  but  because  there  was  really 
nothing  left  for  her  to  do.  The  drudge  winced 
under  the  infliction,  but  did  not  utter  a  word  of 
complaint,  for  she  knew  her  mistress  was  not  angr} 
and  that  this  was  only  a  way  she  had  of  getting  rid 
of  her  superfluous  energy. 

At  length  the  sun  disappeared,  the  chickens  flew 
up  to  their  roosts,  and  Charity  and  her  nephew  be- 
gan to  make  the  final  preparations  for  the  enter- 
tainment. From  the  lower  beams  of  the  barn 
six  lanterns  were  swung,  to  the  no  small  astonish- 
ment of  the  rats  and  mice  ;  while  the  corn  was  ar- 
ranged in  a  great  heap  at  the  further  end  of  the 
floor,  and  near  by  were  placed  several  bushel 
baskets,  which  were  to  distribute  it  among  the 
buskers,  who  might  arrange  themselves  as  they 
liked  best,  but  were  to  work  until  every  golden  ear 
should  be  divested  of  its  covering,  after  which  they 
might  retire  into  the  house,  and  then  the  feastmg 
wo.uld  begin. 

Charity  had  certainly  done  her  part  well.  From 
the  south  window  to  within  a  foot  and  a  half  of 


CHARTER   OAK.  295 

her  nephew's  study,  was  a  long,  narrow  table,  laden 
with  everything  which  a  New  England  housewife  of 
those  days  could  furnish,  while  under  the  staircase 
she  had  made  the  redemptioner  place  the  cider 
barrel,  with  a  tin  mug  dangling  from  the  spigot, 
and  next  to  it  a  smaller  cask,  which  her  nephew 
had  preserved  from  his  father's  3tore  of  wine. 

"  It's  good,"  said  the  dame,  as  she  drank  off  a 
glass  of  the  latter,  "  very,  very  good." 

Presently  a  glow  appeared  on  her  wrinkled  cheek, 
and  she  was  strongly  tempted  to  take  another  sip ; 
but  fearing  lest  it  might  give  a  bad  example  to 
Lydia,  she  withdrew  from  the  barrel,  saying  to 
herself,  "  verily.  Scripture  is  right ;  wine  maketh 
the  heart  glad." 

Colonel  Goffe,  who  was  determined  not  to  be  al- 
together shut  out  from  the  feast,  had  been  ushered 
by  his  host  into  the  library,  where  his  daughter 
had  made  him  as  comfortable  as  possible,  and  it 
was  agreed  that  at  certain  intervals  during  the  eve- 
ning he  might  take  a  peep  at  the  company. 

Between  the  chimney  and  the  oven  was  a  pile  of 
wood,  enough,  one  might  have  supposed,  to  last  ft 
Aveek  ;  but  remember,  the  chimney  was  immense, 
and  the  draft  up  it  something  wonderful. 

"  That  hickory  was  cut  three  autumns  ago,"  ex- 
claimed the  aunt,  glancing  at  the  servant  maid's 
arm,  (the  poor  creature  was  rubbing  the  spot  which 


296  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

had  been  pinclied  a  few  ininntes  before,)  ha !  won't 
it  blaze."  "With  this,  Miss  Crabtree  retired  to  lier 
bedroom,  and  when  she  again  made  her  appearance, 
she  was  indeed  a  sight.  Her  top-knot  which  had 
been  elevated  about  two  inches,  was  crowned  by 
a  spotless  lace  cap,  and  she  wore  a  bran  new  gown 
of  a  dusky  color,  interspersed  with  tiny,  yellow 
fiowers,  probably  meant  for  dandelions,  and  which 
covered  her  throat  well  up  to  the  chin. 

Prudence  was  likev/ise  attired  in  her  best,  and 
so  was  Lydia,  wdio  had  spent  at  least  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  viewing  herself  in  the  mirror,  and  who 
had  sighed  a  very  deep  sigh  for  her  lost  curls.  It 
was  seven  o'clock  when  the  first  guest  arrived,  and 
by  the  lugubrious  voice  Avhich  answered  the  Cap- 
tain's greeting,  it  Avas  easy  to  recognize  who  it  Avas. 
Mr.  Barebones  looked  even  more  solemn  than  usual, 
owing  to  a  long  prayer,  wdiich  was  only  just  finish- 
ed, and  in  which  he  had  implored  the  Almighty  to 
give  him  strength  against  Satan,  who  during  the 
next  four  hours  would  no  doubt  make  a  vigorous 
attack  upon  him.  His  middle  finger,  cold  and 
deathlike,  was  held  out  for  each  of  the  household 
to  shake,  and  when  presently  he  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  wine  and  cider  barrels,  his  eyes  rolled  up  un- 
til they  rested  on  the  pumpkins  and  catnip  over- 
head.— "  Lead  me  not  into  temptation,"  he  prayed, 
"  Lord,  Lord  give  me  strength." 


CHARTER   OAK.  297 

Soon  after  the  ruling  elder  caine  the  tithiiig-man, 
whose  solitary  eye,  which  had  taken  in  at  a  glance 
everything  tlm  spacious  apartment  contained, 
sparkled  and  danced,  and  seemed  unable  to  keep 
fixed  on  any  object  longer  than  a  second  at  a  time. 
Both  his  hands  wore  stretched  out  at  once,  the  left 
grasping  Lydia,  the  right  Captain  Joe,  while  his 
clothes  (alb<eit  not  an  exevj  day  suit)  exhaled  an 
odor  not  to  be  mistaken  for  anything  else  than 
leather. 

"  As  an  old  friend,  let  me  congratulate  you.  Cap- 
tain," he  wliis]->ered ;  "  better  late  than  never." 
Then  in  his  bluff,  jovial  way  he  told  the  regicide's 
daughter  how  nrach  pleasure  her  visit  had  given 
his  wife  and  children,  who  begged  that  it  might 
soon  be  repeated.  "  Even  the  robin,"  he  said, 
*'  has  been  merrier  since  you  came." 

After  the  tithing-man,  and  at  an  interval  of  about 
five  minutes,  Mrs.  Bull  arrived,  quite  out  of  breath, 
for  she  was  a  woman  of  corpulent  habit  and  unac- 
customed to  walking  such  a  distance,  but  her  face 
was  all  smiles  and  her  lips  were  trying  hard  to  say 
something.  As  she  threw  herself  in  the  chair 
which  Lydia  hastened  to  offer  her,  Mr.  Barebones' 
grey  eyes  began  at  once  their  inquisitorial  work. 
Of  all  the  females  in  Hartford,  not  one  had  caused 
him  half  as  much  anxiety .  as  the  widow,  and  he 
dreaded  lest  there  might  be  something  about  her 


298  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

dress  which  would  scandalize.  But  although  he 
searched  her  from  head  to  foot,  not  a  single 
ribbon  could  he  discover,  and  when  he  had  tho- 
roughly satisfied  himself  that  she  was  attired  in  a 
becoming  way,  a  look  of  unfeigned  delight  broke 
out  on  his  countenance  ;  for  by  nature  he  was  not 
a  cruel  man,  and  whatever  harshness  he  had  at 
times  exhibited  towards  sinners,  arose  from  a  pure 
desire  to  benefit  their  souls.  Lydia  now  entered 
into  conversation  with  Mrs.  Bull,  but  to  the  ruling 
elder's  grief  it  was  carried  on  in  such  a  low  tone 
that  he  could  make  nothing  of  it. 

"  We've  both  had  to  toe  the  mark,"  said  the 
widow,  smoothing  down  her  dress,  and  slightly  ad- 
vancing one  of  her  feet,  which  were  small  and  well- 
shaped,  and  there  being  no  law  prohibiting  it,  she 
was  not  unwilling  to  have  them  admired. 

"  Your  curls  and  my  ribbons  would  drive  the 
company  wild,"  she  whispered  ;  "  but  when  I  re- 
turn home  I  can  rig  myself  out  as  I  please,  but  3'ou 
Miss,  oh !  you  will  never  behold  your  tresses 
again  !" 

"  Be  not  too  confident  of  that,"  rejoined  Lydia, 
"  stirring  times  may  suon  be  looked  for,  and  with 
political  changes  I  hope  to  see  a  reform  in  other 
Things."  While  she  was  speaking,  she  saw  the 
widow  s  eyes  flash — the  latter  had  just  discovered 
Israel  Barebones  watching  her. 


CHAETER  OAK.  299 

"  That  man's  my  liorror,"  whispered  the  dame, 
for  an  instant  returning  his  gaze,  then  looking  at 

the  girl "  he's  dying  to  know  what  we're  talking 

about ;  and  if  it  wasn't  for  the  rest  of  the  folks  he'd 
come  close  up  and  listen." 

"  Well,  I  don't  like  him  either,"  answered  Lydia. 

"And  that  makes  you  and  me  greater  friends," 
pursued  the  other.  "  The  Lord  knows  how  soon 
we  may  need  each  other's  sympathy.  Oh  !  if  my 
poor,  dear  husband  were  only  living  9" 

Here  her  bosom  heaved,  and  instinctively  she 
drew  from  her  pocket  the  tarred  relic  of  the  Polly 
Ann.  Lydia  could  hardly  help  laughing  when  she 
saw  it,  while  the  ruhng  elder  opened  his  eyes 
wider  and  wider,  and  advanced  a  half  step  nearer 
the  chair.  But  quickly  the  rope  was  thrust  back 
into  its  hidmg-place  and  he  was  left  to  bite  his  lip 
and  groan. 

Just  at  that  moment  a  number  of  other  guests 
arrived,  and  Miss  Crabtree,  who  had  no  idea  of 
letting  the  widow  keep  the  girl  all  to  herself,  in- 
terrupted their  conversation  by  gently  drawing 
Lydia  away  towards  Dorothy  Philbrick  and  Faith 
Genness.  The  reputation  which  these  two  young 
women  had  acquired,  was  really  something  to  be 
envied.  So  demure  were  they  on  all  oocasions  that 
some  people  doubted  if  they  ever  smiled,  much  less 
laughed  like  other   girls  ;  never   had   thek  noses 


300  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

been  tickled  for  falling  asleep  during  meeting ; 
they  sang  the  lijnms  with  the  liveliest  zeal;  in  fact 
so  perfectly  had  they  retained  their  baptismal  in- 
nocence, according  to  Mr.  Barebones,  that  the 
latter  had  insisted  on  christening  them  "  the 
cherubs."  And  now,  when  the  good  man  saw 
Lydia  brought  towards  them  he  clasped  his  hands, 
while  his  lips  moved  in  silent  thanksgiving.  "This 
Miss  Garlic,"  he  said  to  himself,  "  whom  our  host 
is  evidently  bent  on  marrying,  is  full  of  spirit  and 
talent,  and  if  she  keepeth  on  the  righteous  path 
her  influence  for  good  may  even  exceed  my  own. 
Oh  Lord!  give  her  light !" 

The  company  numbered  by  this  time  forty  or 
fifty,  and  the  old-fashioned  clock  gave  warning  that 
it  was  time  for  the  husking  to  begin.  Accordingly, 
at  a  signal  from  the  Captain,  they  all  filed  into  the 
barn.  Miss  Crabtree  alone  remaining  behind  with 
the  servant  maid.  Soon  five,  then  ten,  then  twenty 
more  guests  made  their  appearance,  and  the  aunt, 
with  very  little  ceremony,  bade  them  at  once  join 
the  others — "  and  make  haste,  friends,"  she  cried, 
*'  the  wine  is  spoiling  to  be  drunk,  make  haste  with 
your  work."  Never  had  the  lofty  roof  of  the  barn 
sent  back  such  merry  echoes  as  it  did  during  the 
next  hour  ;  the  cat  was  fairly  frightened  out  of  its 
wits  and  went  to  seek  refuge  in  a  neighboring  edi- 
fice, and  we  cannot  believe  the   Captain's  horses 


CHARTER   OAK.  301 

and  cattle  enjoyed  a  very  profound  repose.  The 
baskets,  as  fast  as  their  contents  were  husked,  were 
brought  by  Adams  (who  had  taken  on  himself  this 
part  of  the  work)  back  to  the  pile  of  corn  at  the 
further  end  of  the  floor,  filled  again,  and  returned 
to  the  laughing,  singing  groups,  who  were  doing 
their  best,  for  they  knew  that  the  sooner  they  com- 
pleted the  task,  the   sooner  the  feast  would  begin. 

Wadsworth  sat  on  Lydia's  right,  while  on  her 
left  was  Jacob  Japheth,  and  opposite  them,  her 
gown  spread  over  four  sheaves  of  barley,  was  the 
jovial  widow  Bull. 

Faith  Genu  ess  and  Dorothy  Philbrick  had  each  a 
beau  of  their  own  to  crack  jokes  with,  while  even 
Israel  Barebones  was  beginning  to  be  carried  awaj 
by  the  tide  of  merriment,  and  chatted  with  Pru- 
dence, whom  to  his  great  edification  he  found  to  be 
a  person  of  very  strict  principles,  and  who  approv- 
ed of  the  shepherds  of  the  flock  inspiring  the  law- 
givers. 

But  while  each  set  of  huskers  had  their  own 
stories  to  relate,  their  own  rosy-cheeked  maidens 
to  keep  the  eyes  of  the  young  men  from  wandering 
away  to  other  groups,  there  was  one  spot  towards 
which  everybody  occasionally  glanced. 

"  He's  hooked,  isn't  he  ?"  whispered  Dorothy. 

"  Aye,  and  it's  a  goocl  fish  she's  caught,"  replied 
Faith  ;  "no  wonder  they  both  look  happy  this  eve- 


302  ItOMANCE    OF   THE 

iiiiig  ;  as  for  the  Captain,  he's  changed  completely 
since  she  came  to  Hartford,  and  I  for  one  am  glad 
of  it." 

"  So  am  I,"  rejoined  Dorothy,  with  perhaps  not 
quite  as  much  candor  as  her  friend,  for  Wadsworth 
had  at  one  time  inspired  her  with  a  hope  which 
now,  of  course,  was  dead  and  buried.  Everybody 
entertained  the  same  opinion  as  the  Cherubs,  re- 
garding the  happy  pair  ;  even  the  most  jealous  and 
disappointed  among  the  girls  putting  a  good  face 
on  the  matter,  and  looking  as  joyful  as  did  the  for- 
tunale  Lydia  herself.  The  heap  of  corn  must  have 
been  almost  half  husked,  when  Miles,  who  till  then 
had  been  lying  quietly  near  his  master,  suddenly 
sprang  up  and  gazed  towards  the  entrance  of  the 
shed  which  led  into  the  house,  then  bounded  for- 
ward, wagging  his  tail  in  a  dozen  person's  faces, 
and  almost  putting  out  one  of  Mr.  Barebones'  eyes. 
In  another  moment  Nanc}^  Clark  appeared,  looking 
somewhat  bashful,  and  as  she  stood  hesitating  about 
advancing  further,  her  pale  cheek  flushed,  while  all 
eyes  were  directed  towards  her.  Lingering  half  a 
step  behind,  came  a  man  with  very  red  hair,  trim- 
med after  the  fashion  of  the  Puritans,  and  clad  in 
an  ordinary  deerskin  suit,  Avhile  hanging  across  his 
shoulders  was  an  instrument  as  strange  to  the  as- 
sembled company  as  his  own  face.  In  an  instant 
Wadsworth   had   left   his   seat   and  was   greeting 


chauteh  oak.  303 

Nancj,  concealing  by  a  powerful  effort  the  emotion 
wliich  lie  felt,  and  as  lie  touched  her  haud,  there 
was  even  a  faint  smile  on  his  lips.  But  oh  !  if  his 
heart  could  have  been  laid  bare,  the  tithing-man 
would  have  ceased  his  jokes,  and  the  widow  Bull 
would  have  discovered  that  others  beside  herseli 
had  their  miseries,  that  a  conscience  burdened  with 
a  ghostly  memory  was  something  more  terrible  to 
endure  than  the  prying  eye  of  a  fanatic  ruling  elder. 
While  Wadsworth  stood  facing  the  young  woman, 
he  was  for  an  instant  tempted  to  throw  himself  on 
his  knees  and  ask  her  forgiveness,  and  before  all  the 
company  to  renew  the  solemn  vow  he  had  once 
taken.  "  She  alone,"  he  murmured,  "  knows  the 
covenant  I  have  made  wdtli  the  Almighty.  She 
was  willing  to  say,  'Go,  Wadsworth  !  if  by  not  mar- 
rying me  the  Lord  will  prosper  the  noble  end  you 
have  in  view,  I  cheerfully  give  you  up,  but  in  my 
heart  I  will  cherish  you  forever  and  forever  !'  " 

While  these  burning  thoughts  rushed  upon  him, 
Lydia  approached  and  gave  her  friend  a  kiss,  and 
lo !  at  the  sight  of  the  regicide's  daughter  another 
change  came  over  him.  The  same  uresistible 
passion  which  had  seized  him  the  first  moment 
he  had  laid  eyes  upon  her,  returned  with  all  its 
fury ;  his  cavernous  eyes  flashed  darker  fiie,  his 
whole  frame  quivered.  In  the  meanw^hile  Nancy 
glanced   at  the   stranger,  wlio:^e    elbow   was   now 


S04  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

toucliing  Waclsworth.  She  was  evidently  embai'- 
rassed,  and  no  wonder,  for  she  was  a  scrupulous 
person  and  could  not  bear  to  tell  an  untruth ;  yet 
how  fulfil  her  father's  command  unless  she  did  ? 
Her  escort  was  to  be  introduced  under  a  false  name, 
and  ever  since  Mr.  Clark  had  given  her  this  in- 
struction she  had  endured  no  little  mental  agony, 
and  had  she  dared  defy  his  wishes  would  have  dis- 
appointed Lydia  and  stayed  away  from  the  husk- 
ing. 

JEenry  Synnot,  who  shrewdly  guessed  the  cause 
of  her  trouble,  with  the  coolness  and  tact  which 
had  already  rendered  him  so  invaluable  to  Andros, 
introduced  himself  to  Wadsworth — "I  am,  sir," 
he  said,  "  a  stranger  to  you,  but  knowing  your  hos 
pitality — " 

Here  Wadsworth  waved  his  hand.  "Enough, 
enough,"  he  exclaimed,  "  you  are  accompanied  by 
Miss  Clark,  that  is  sufficient  introduction."  Then, 
laying  his  fingers  on  the  bagpipes,  "  but  pray,  sir, 
what  have  we  here  ?" 

"  Something  Avhich  I  am  fond  of  using  at  gather- 
ings like  this,"  replied  the  officer.  "  Wait  until 
the  corn  is  husked  and  the  feasting  begins  ;  then  I 
will  show  what  use  I  make  of  it." 

With  Miles  rubbing  his  shaggy  coat  against  her 
frock,  Nancy  now  accompanied  Wadsworth  to  the 
spot  where  he  had  been  sitting  when  she  appeared. 


CHARTEll   OAK.  305 

Captain  Synnot  pretended  that  he  was  trying  to 
follow,  but  managed  to  trip  over  the  leg  of  one  of 
the  guests,  and  as  he  rose  to  his  feet,  rubbing  his 
knee,  he  whispered  to  Lydia — "  I  am  the  one  who 
saved  you  from  the  wolves,  but  do  not  show  that 
you  know  me." 

Startling  as  these  words  were,  the  girl  did  not 
make  any  response,  nor  even  manifest  the  least 
astonishment,  but  simply  led  him  towards  Jacob 
Japheth  and  the  widow  Bull ;  then  putting  an  ear 
of  corn  in  his  hand  she  bade  him  set  to  work. 

"  When  we  have  finished  husking,"  she  said,  in 
a  calm  tone,  "  there  is  to  be  a  feast ;  till  then  make 
up  for  lost  time  by  following  my  example — see, 
there  are  yet  five  baskets  to  husk." 

It  was  just  as  these  words  passed  her  lips,  that 
Wadsworth,  who  had  conducted  Nancy  to  a  seat, 
turned  to  see  what  had  become  of  her,  and  had 
Lydia  gone  on  talking  with  Synnot  his  suspicions 
might  perhaps  have  been  aroused  ;  but  when  she 
handed  the  stranger  an  ear  of  corn  and  made  him 
a  sign  to  begin  and  work,  he  concluded  that  she 
had  only  been  asking  some  question  about  the 
queer-looking  object  which  was  slung  over  his 
shoulder.  '''  Yes,"  thought  Wadsworth,  "  Miss  Goffe 
is  not  bashful  with  any  body,  she  never  needs  to 
be  introduced." 

In  a  few  minutes  they   were  all  busy  again  ;  the 


306  BOMANCE   OP  THE 

oulj  person  who  did  not  iiiisk  quite  as  fast  as  bo- 
fore  being  Ljdia,  who  seemed  overmuch  absorbed 
by  the  bagpipes,  while  occasional!}^  her  eyes  Avould 
steal  up  a  little  higher  and  rest  on  the  new  comer's 
face.  The  latter,  however,  did  not  notice  her  in 
the  least,  but  having  arrived  late,  seemed  as  if  ho 
were  endeavoring  to  do  as  much  work  as  possible. 
The  chief  of  the  train-band  examined  him  closely 
and  observed  that  his  hands  were  not  like  those 
of  a  husbandman  or  hunter — they  were  too  soft 
and  white ;  yet  the  way  in  which  his  hair  was  cut 
stamped  him  as  a  Puritan,  and  this  was  enough  to 
have  quelled  any  suspicion  which  might  have  arisen 
in  Wads  worth's  breast,  while  to  complete  his  dis- 
guise Synnot  had  shaved  off  his  moustache,  and 
now  wore  a  thick  beard  of  the  same  hue  as  his 
hair.  The  scrutinizing  glances  of  the  master  of 
the  house  did  not  escape  the  eye  of  Nancy  Clark, 
and  while  she  was  endeavoring  to  appear  an  in- 
terested listener  of  the  widow  Bull's  stories,  her 
pale  cheek  grew  paler.  It  terrified  her  to  think  of 
what  might  follow,  should  the  British  officer  be  re- 
cognized by  any  of  the  company,  many  of  whom 
had  doubtless  been  present  in  the  General  Court 
Chamber,  when  he  had  delivered  to  Governor  Treat 
Andros'  letter.  Thqy  would,  of  course,  taive  him 
for  a  spy,  and  then  to  what  extremes  might  not 
their  wrath  lead  them  ?     Bat  it  was  Wadsworth'a 


CHARTER   OAK.  307 

indignation  wbicli  she  most  dre;ided  ;  his  esteem 
^ile  woidd  not  have  lost  for  the  world.  What 
would  he  say,  if  he  found  that  the  stranger  whom 
she  had  brought  to  his  home,  was  in  the  service  of 
the  King  ?  "  Better,"  thought  Nancy,  "  that  the 
flo(jr  and  the  earth  under  it,  should  open  and 
swallow  me  up,  than  have  such  a  thing  happen." 
Thanks,  however,  to  the  skill  with  which  Svnnot  was 
disguised,  her  host  did  not  suspect  anything  and 
soon  his  gaze  was  fixed  on  the  regicide's  daughter, 
whose  cheek,  unlike  her  friend's,  was  now  burning 
red.  Had  the  unknown  been  drawn  to  the  husk- 
ing part}',  in  order  to  meet  her  again?  Lydia 
was  asking  herself,  or  was  he  a  lover  of  Nancy 
Clark  ?  "  This  is  not  unlikely,"  she  thought,  "  for 
he  is  no  Puritan,  and,  from  what  I  have  heard, 
Mr.  Clark  is  not  one  either."  Right  glad  was  she 
when  the  last  basket  was  emptied  and  the  task 
finished,  for  she  hoped  during  the  feast  to  have  an 
opportunity  of  speaking  freely  with  the  unknown. 
But  no  sooner  did  the  company  rise  to  their  feet 
than  Wadsworth  placed  himself  at  her  side,  much 
to  the  regret  of  Henry  Synnot,  who  was  thus  colu- 
pelled  to  be  Nancy's  escort.  As  they  filed  through 
the  shed  into  the  house,  they  were  greeted  by 
Charity  Crabtree,  who  with  as  pleasant  a  smile  on 
her  face  as  she  could  possibly  assume,  bade  them 
choose    their   places   at   the  table  and  be  merry. 


308  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"  Aye,  folks,"  slio  exclaimed,  "  this  is  my  first  jolli- 
fication in  Hartford  ;  but  please  God  it  shan't  be 
the  last ;  eat  and  be  merry — eat  and  be  merry  !" ' 

Presently  her  excitement  got  the  better  of  her 
judgment,  and  she  burst  into  such  a  fit  of  laughter 
that  her  nephew  was  quite  taken  aback,  for  during 
all  the  years  she  had  been  with  him  she  had  never 
given  way  to  a  similar  flow  of  spirits.  Oh !  had 
the  patient  servant-maid  dared,  she  might  now 
have  taken  sweet  revenge  for  the  many  pinchet' 
which  her  mistress  had  given  her,  by  reveahug 
something  which  would  have  caused  the  good 
woman  to  fall  immensel}'  in  the  esteem  of  the  mul- 
titude— -that  tell-tale  drop  on  tbe  spigot  of  the  wine 
barrel  had  not  been  there  five  minutes  before. 
While  Miss  Crab  tree  was  clapping  her  hands,  in 
rushed  the  guests,  jostling  one  another  good-natur- 
edly ;  Tom  Hubbard  had  fast  hold  of  Dorothy 
Philbrick's  wrist,  while  Faith  Genness  made  believe 
she  was  trying  to  escape  from  a  burly  lad,  with  a 
face  shaped  like  a  full  moon  and  burnt  to  the  color 
of  a  brick  ;  but  he  clutched  her  gown  with  a  grip 
of  iron  and  would  have  ri2:)ped  it  off  rather  than 
let  Faith  get  away.  The  sea-captain's  widow,  puff- 
ing and  pressing  her  right  hand  on  her  bosom, 
came  next,  escorted  by  Mr.  Japheth,  and  as  soon 
as  she  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  good  things  which 


CHARTER   OAK.  309 

loaded  tlie  table,  lier  eyes  darted  from  dish  to  disli, 
while  her  hands  began  to  open  and  sliut.  Present- 
ly aiming  her  finger  at  a  huge  roast  turkey,  "  that's 
the  ship  I  want  to  board,"  she  gasped,  then  catching 
her  breath,  "  Lord,  how  the  folks  is  pushing,"  for- 
getting that  she  herseh  had  trodden  thrice  on  the 
heels  of  the  person  in  front  of  her. 

Alone,  and  with  folded  arms,  Isiael  Barebones 
brought  up  the  rear  of  the  procession,  or  rather  the 
jolly  mob.  The  happier  the  rest  of  the  company 
became,  the  greater  efforts  did  he  make  to  repress 
any  sign  of  mirth  in  his  own  breast,  and  if  occasion- 
ally a  smile  would  break  out  on  his  face,  it  quick- 
ly disappeared  and  was  followed  by  a  frown  and  a 
groan.  Ai  this  very  moment  he  was  lamenting  the 
harm  which  would  come  to  the  souls  of  Faith  and 
Dorothy  by  being  brought  into  such  close  contact 
with  Tom  Hubbard  and  the  lad  with  tlie  moon  face ; 
while  as  for  the  way  the  tithing  man  was  carrying 
on  with  the  frivolous  Mrs.  Bull,  it  was  simply  scan- 
dalous. The  dame,  it  is  true,  wore  nothing  on  the 
present  occasion  which  could  give  offence ;  but 
then  the  whole  community  knew  her  character,  and 
the  ruling  elder  would  have  wagered  his  salvation 
that  her  pockets  were  at  this  very  moment  stuffed 
with  ribbons.  "  Narrow  is  the  path  which  leadeth 
to  Zion,"  he  groaned,   just  as  the  widow   arrived 


310  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

at  her  objective  point — the  roast  turkey ;  "  however, 

let  us  hoj)e  she  may  not  be  damned !" 

Standing  on  Mrs.  Bull's  left,  and  opposite  Wads- 
worth  and  Lydia,  was  Simon  Adams,  and  by  the 
way  the  fellow  stroked  his  shaggy  beard,  you  could 
see  that  he  was  in  a  quandary.  On  which  of  the 
many  dishes  ought  he  first  to  pounce  ?  "  Simon, 
Simon,"  exclaimed  the  widow,  nudging  his  elbow, 
"  you  that's  famous  for  saj^ing  long  graces,  why 
don't  you  begin  and  say  one  for  us  all  ?  or  does 
your  piety  afore  meals  come  by  fits  and  starts?" 

"  How  do  you  know  I  ever  say  grace?"  whispered 
the  tavern-keeper ;  "  lifting  up  a  fellow's  eyes  is  no 
sign  of  godliness.  But  if  folks  think  it  is,  why,  let 
'em  think  so  ;  I  humbug  'em  and  edify  'em  at  the 
same  time.  You  know  that  it's  necessary  if  you 
live  in  this  community  to  appear  godly,  even  if  you 
ain't." 

"  Oh,  you  wicked  man !  give  me  a  piece  of  the 
dark  meat  and  some  stuffin',"  rejoined  the  dame, 
laughing  and  pushing  forward  her  platter. 

The  publican  helped  her  as  she  requested,  then, 
instead  of  beginning  to  eat  himself,  remained  with 
both  hands  leaning  on  the  table,  while  his  eyes 
slowly  moved  from  right  to  left,  then  from  left  to 
right — their  vibration  bounded  on  one  side  by  tlie 
turkey  and  on  the  other  by  a  huge  sirloin  of  beef ; 


CHARTEil   OAK.  IJll 

and  thus  lie  stood  for  more  than  a  minute,  nor  did 
he  open  his  lips  until  the  widow  again  nudged  him. 

"  What  ails  you  ?"  she  exclaimed.  "  Are  you 
really  mad,  as  some  folks  say  you  be  ?  Here  am  I 
waiting  for  the  side  bone  ;  every  second  precious, 
for  somebody  else  may  grab  it,  and  you  looking  as 
if  you  were  in  a  stupor.     What  ails  you  ?" 

Presently  the  tavern-keeper  drew  a  long  breath — 
his  consciousness  seemed  to  return.  "  Dreadful  to 
be  in  such  a  fix,"  he  sighed,  "  yes,  dreadful ;  if  one 
dish  was  just  a  mite  further  off  than  t'other,  I 
could  decide  which  to  begin  on.  But  being  right 
exactly  atween  them  both,  it's  puzzling,  damn  puz- 
zling." 

Here  Mrs.  Bull  gave  him  a  pinch.  "  Don't 
swear  so  loud,"  she  whispered,  "  there's  the  ruling 
elder  eyeing  us." 

"  And  what  do  I  care  if  he  is  ?"  growled  Adams, 
helping  her  to  the  morsel  she  coveted,  then  darting 
his  fork  into  the  beef.  And  so  they  went  on  chat- 
ting and  devouring  the  good  things  set  before  them, 
and  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add  that  the  feast 
was  relished  by  all ;  even  the  solemn  Mr.  Barebones 
presently  took  his  eye  off  the  widow  and  ate  his 
full,  and  when  the  last  pie  had  disappeared,  his 
countenance  was  much  less  stern  than  when  he  had 
arrived.  The  table  was  now  removed  into  the 
woodshed,  the  dishes  hastily  put  by  in  a  large  bas- 


812  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

ket,  and  tlie  real  fun  of  tlie  evening  commenced. 
A  score  of  pewter  mugs  which  Wadsworth  hr*d 
procured  from  the  tavern,  were  brought  out  of  the 
cupboard,  then  waving  his  hand  toward  the  bar- 
rels under  the  staircase,  he  begged  his  guests  to 
taste  of  their  contents. 

"  One's  wine,  t'other's  cider,"  exclaimed  Charity, 
handing  Goody  Garlic  a  cup  of  the  grape  juice, 
"  we'll  sip  out  of  this  mug  together" — then  lowering 
Jier  voice,  "  Prudence,  'twill  make  you  feel  as  if  you 
were  in  Zion." 

We  need  scarcely  say  that  the  merry  crowd  show- 
ed no  backwardness  in  following  the  old  maid's  ex- 
ample, and  in  less  than  five  minutes  the  conver- 
sation and  laughter  had  so  increased  that  one  could 
hardly  hear  his  own  voice.  But  of  a  sudden,  it  all 
died  away  and  every  eye  was  directed  towards  Miss 
Crabtree. 

"  She's  going  to  perform  her  great  feat,"  whisper- 
ed Jacob  Japheth,  to  the  widow,  "  not  another  soul 
in  town  can  do  it." 

Hardly  had  he  spoken  when  the  silence  was  in- 
terrupted by  a  shout  and  a  clapping  of  hands  and 
Tom  Hubbard  grew  so  excited  that  he  jumped  into 
the  air  and  pulled  down  on  Dorothy's  head  a  huge 
bunch  of  catnip. 

In  the  midst  of  the  confusion  and  hubbub, 
Charity  was  standing  near  the  oven,  her  hands  on 


CHARTER   OAK.  313 

her  liij)S  and  with  a  cranberry  fastened  between  her 
nose  and  her  chin,  and  m  that  position  she  remain- 
ed until  some  of  the  people  laughed  themselves  into 
hysterics  ;  then  tossing  back  her  head,  she  opened 
her  mouth  and  down  went  the  berry.  During 
this  interesting  performance  the  door  of  the  study 
had  opened  a  little,  just  enough  to  allow  the  regi- 
cide to  take  a  peep,  and  when  he  withdrew  his  head 
the  old  gentleman  laughed  as  heartily  as  any  of 
them.  Up  to  this  moment  Israel  Barebones  had 
heroically  kept  the  resolution  he  had  made  when 
he  arrived  and  not  touched  a  drop  of  liquor ;  his 
arms  were  folded  on  his  breast,  and  in  a  corner  by 
himself  he  was  wrestling  with  the  devil,  who  during 
the  past  quarter  of  an  hour  had  made  a  violent  as- 
sault upon  him.  At  length,  however,  the  sight  of 
the  wine  proved  too  much  for  even  him  to  with- 
stand, and  striking  his  forehead  he  advanced  ex- 
citedly into  the  middle  of  the  room,  where  Mr. 
Japheth  hastened  to  ojQfer  him  a  tankard. 

For  a  moment  the  ruling  elder  held  it  to  his  lips 
then  shaking  his  head,  he  turned  away  his  face  and 
groaned.  But  presently  he  brought  the  cup  back  to 
his  mouth  and  with  a  trembling  hand  and  an  in- 
describable expression,  as  if  agony  and  mirth  were 
contending  for  the  mastery,  he  took  a  long  draught. 
"  Well  done  old  boy,"  cried  Mad  Adams,  who  had 


314  EOMANCE   OF  THE 

just  taken  a  sip  out  of  the  widow's  mug,  "  yes,  well 
done,  feasting  is  better  than  fasting." 

It  was  at  this  part  of  the  entertainment  that 
Lydia,  taking  advantage  of  Wadsworth's  attentions 
to  Mr.  Barebones,  glided  up  to  Henry  Synnot,  who 
till  now  had  been  engaged  in  conversation  with 
Nancy,  and  gave  )iim  the  opportunity  to  address 
her,  for  which  he  had  been  so  impatiently  waiting. 

"I'm  well  disguised,  Miss  Goffe,  am  I  not?"  he 
whispered. 

"  You  are  indeed,  sir,"  she  replied,  "  yet  even 
without  that  horrid  wig,  I  would  still  have  to 
call  you  the  unknown,  for  you  did  not  tell  me  your 
name  the  evening  we  so  providentially  met." 

"  Providentially !  ah,  so  it  was,"  rejoined  the 
officer,  musingly  ;  "  God  be  thanked,  it  was  a  happy, 
happy  Providence !  Bless  the  wolves  for  driving 
such  game  towards  me." 

At  these  words  Lydia  colored.  "  It  is  but  fair," 
he  continued,  "  that  I  should  reveal  who  I  am,  we 
will  thus  be  each  the  keeper  of  a  secret,  for  nobody 
here  knows  me  except  Miss  Clark." 

"  Dear  Nancy  !"  murmured  Lydia,  "  oh  !  you  are 
safe  in  her  hands." 

"  You  and  she  are  warm  friends,  I  believe  ?" 

''  We  are." 

"  Well,  I  agree  with  you.  Miss  Goffe,  she  looks 
like  a  person  one  might  love  and  trust ;  but  for 


CHAKTER   OAK.  315 

all  that,  beware  of  what  3011  tell  her  concerning 
3"ourself.  Her  father  has  great  power  over  her 
and  is  even  now  setting  her  on  3'our  track." 

"Ail,  indeed  !  well,  I  know  he  is  one  of  the  King's 
partisans,  nevertheless  I  am  fond  of  his  daughter 
and  believe  she  returns  my  affection,  and  will  be- 
tray, not  even  to  him,  aught  she  may  discover  con- 
ct'rning  me.  But  now,  sir,  let  me  hear  who  you 
are?" 

"  My  name.  Miss,  is  Henry  Synnot ;  I  belong  to 
the  staff  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  and  am  bearer  of 
dispatches  from  him  to  Governor  Treat.  This  very 
day  I  should  have  returned  to  Boston,  but  I  want- 
ed to  meet  you  again." 

"  Dispatches  from  xindros !  Alas,  I  fear  their 
contents  bode  evil  to  Connecticut ;  I  regret  that 
you  are  engaged  on  such  duty."  Here  the  officer 
bit  his  lip.  "  Is  your  heart  in  the  work  ?"  continued 
Lydia. 

"  You  must  pardon  much  to  circumstances.  Miss 
Goffe,"  he  replied,  after  a  little  hesitation  ;  "  I  could 
not  refuse  to  obey  orders." 

"  No,  true  ;  but  you  might  abate  your  zeal,  do  as 
little  as  possible,  be  in  less  haste  going  to  and  fro. 
This  colon}'  is  in  a  sad  strait  ;  however,  if  the  worst 
comes  to  the  worst,  even  the  women  will  fight." 

"  And  if  they  do,  'twill  be  all  up  with  the  King's 


316  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

party,"  rejoined  Sjnuot ;  "  you  alone  would  be  a 
tower  of  strength." 

"You  are  sarcastic,  sir,"  said  Lydia,  drawing  back 
with  a  haughty  glance;  "  but  may  mj  arm  be  para- 
lized  if  it  does  not  rise  against  the  British  troops 
when  they  come  to  rob  us  of  our  charter !" 

*  Oh,  be  not  offended,  Miss,  I  spoke  in  earnest ;  a 
maiden  like  you  would  be  a  greater  obstacle  in  Sir 
Edmund's  path  than  a  regiment  of  men.  And  now 
let  me  confess  that  the  duty  on  which  I  am  en- 
gaged is  most  distasteful,  and  that  the  King's 
policy  towards  New  England  is  one  which  I  do  not 
in  my  heart  approve." 

At  these  woi'ds  the  girl  again  drew  near  to  him, 
while  the  crimson  on  her  cheek  deepened.  "May 
I  not  in  time  win  him  over  to  the  glorious  scheme 
of  independence  ?  Then  the  barrier  which  separ- 
ate us  will  be  removed,"  she  thought,  gazing  at 
him  with  an  expression  in  which  Henry  Synnot 
fancied  he  read  more  than  her  words  had  yet  re- 
vealed. Presently  he  drew  from  his  breast  a  minia- 
ture on  which  he  gazed  for  an  instant,  then  placed 
it  before  her.  The  regicide's  daughter  started,  it 
was  her  own  image  !  Just  then  Israel  Barebones, 
who,  during  the  past  few  minutes  had  been  coming 
gradually  nearer,  bent  down  to  inspect  the  portrait, 
but  the  officer  quickly  snatched  it  from  Ljxlia's 
hand  and  hid  it  again  in  his  breast. 


CHARTER   OAK.  317 

**  *Tis  tlie  likeness  of  a  relative  of  yours,"  he 
whispered,  after  the  ruling  elder  had  turned  away 
"  her  name  was  Elizabeth  Churchill." 

"  Indeed  !  my  cousin  !  father's  sister  married  Sir 
William  Churchill ;  oh  I  would  like  so  to  know  her  , 
where  is  she?      In  England,  I  suppose?" 

"  In  Heaven  !"  replied  Synnot.  "  But  when  I 
look  at  you,  I  see  her  again." 

Once  more  Lydia  colored,  while  the  officer  gently 
took  her  hand,  and  he  was  3'et  holding  it  when 
Wadsworth  approached,  his  heavy  eyebrows  lower- 
ing, for  Israel  Barebones  had  been  whispering 
something  to  him. 

"  Unbearable,"  thought  the  chief  of  the  train- 
band, "  that  this  red-headed  varlet  should  so  en- 
gross Miss  Lydia's  attention.  But  what  can  I  do? 
It  is  possible,  as  my  fiiend  has  just  hinted,  the  girl 
and  he  have  met  before."  As  this  suspicion  oc- 
curred to  "Wadsworth,  a  noise  was  heard  in  the  pas- 
sage way  leading  to  the  outer  door — it  was  as  if 
something  heavy  was  being  rolled  along,  and  in 
another  moment  Mad  Adams  appeared,  push- 
ing in  front  of  him  a  barrel  and  calling  out  to  the 
company  to  clear  the  road.  "  A  present.  Captain 
Joe,  a  prc^sent,"  exclaimed  the  honest  fellow ;  "  I 
could  not  let  this  joyful  occasion  slip  by  without 
giving  you  something  out  of  my  store  of  liquors." 
As  he  spoke  he  gave  the  barrel  a  shove  with  his 


318  noMANCE  or  the 

foot,  and  sent  it — to  the  consternation  of  Tom 
Hubbard,  whose  toes  it  almost  crushed  under  the 
staircase,  where  it  came  to  a  halt  beside  the  other 
barrels.  "  I  wager,"  continued  the  publican,  "  that 
it's  better  than  the  wine  you've  been  drinking,  al- 
beit your's  is  a  mite  older." 

"  No  wagers  !"  said  Israel  Barebones,  in  a  tone 
of  authority,  and  pointing  towards  King  Charles' 
twelve  good  rules. 

"  Lay  no  wagers  !"  echoed  Jacob  Japheth,  "  but 
by  fair  trial  let  us   decide  which  merits  the  palm," 

This  proposition  met  with  the  approval  of  all 
the  guests,  who  without  a  dissenting  voice  declared 
that  the  ruling  elder  and  the  tithing  man  should 
form  a  jury.  Mrs.  Bull  patted  Jacob  Japheth  on 
the  back  and  urged  him  to  fill  his  tankard  at  once, 
while  Miss  Crabtree  and  Goody  Garlic  gathered 
around  Israel  Barebones  and  pressed  him  to  let 
them  know  which  wine  was  the  best. 

"  1  won't  believe  there's  any  as  good  as  my  Joe's," 
exclaimed  the  aunt,  "  until  you,  Israel  Barebones, 
ruling  elder  of  the  first  church  of  Hartford  town, 
declares  that  there  is;  so  let's  settle  the  matter 
without  delay." 

The  cobbler  did  not  need  any  pressing ;  by  his 
twinkling  eye  you  could  see  that  he  entered  heart 
and  soul  into  the  fun  of  the  thing.  Israel  Bare- 
bones, however,  appeared  confused,  he  had  already 


CHAllTEK   OAK.  olO 

imbibed  full  a?  mucli  as  one  unaccostumod  to  any- 
thing stronger  tban  milk  could  stand,  and  he  felt 
that  he  had  reached  the  turning-point  where  one 
draught  more  would  plunge  him  headlong  into  the 
devil's  clutches. 

But  the  clamor  which  arose  to  have  him  serve 
as  juryman  drowned  the  voice  of  conscience.  Ho 
glanced  at  Wadsworth ;  but  the  latter,  to  whom  it 
was  evident  that  the  spirit  of  the  company  was  be- 
yond his  control,  made  no  sign  to  him,  he  did  not 
even  pull  his  sleeve.  Slight  as  such  a  warning 
would  have  been,  it  might  perhaps  have  recalled 
the  good  man  to  his  senses,  and  enabled  him  to 
beat  off  this  last  terrific  onslaught  of  Beelzebub. 
As  it  was,  he  heard  only  the  cry,  "Yes,  yes;  de- 
cide, decide  !*'  And  so,  with  Miss  Crabtree  on  his 
left  and  Prudence  Garlic  on  his  right,  he  advanced 
towards  the  barrels,  feeling  like  one  about  to  take 
a  plunge  into  the  water  from  a  dizzy  height. 
"  God  knows  how  it  will  all  end !"  he  murmured. 
Then  clasping  his  hands  he  gave  a  groan — some- 
body had  yelled  out  "  Hallelujah  !"  and  the  word  for 
a  moment  seemed  to  aiTest  him  in  his  fatal  course — 
but  it  was  only  for  a  moment.  Tom  Elubbard,  who 
had  uttered  the  exclamation,  made  haste  to  turn 
the  spigot  of  x4.dam's  barrel,  and  in  less  time  than 
it  takes  to  relate,  Israel  Barebones  had  swallowed 
half  the  contents  of  his  mug.     Once  more  the  door 


o20  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

of  tlie  library  opened  and  the  regicide  pee]:>ed  out, 
and  when  it  closed  again  you  could  hear  the  old 
soldier  laughing  heartily. 

"  Can't  you  tell  at  once  which  wine  you  prefer  ?" 
said  Wadsworth,  frowning  at  both  the  jurors — he 
was  beginning  to  dread  a  scene  of  scandal. 

"  Well,  I  forget  which  I  like  best,"  replied  Mr. 
Japheth. 

"  Yerily,  and  I  am  in  the  same  quandary,"  said  Mr. 
Barebones,  hiccoughing,  "  we  must  try  once  more." 

"  Yes,  do,"  exclaimed  Tom  Hubbard,  who  was 
on  his  knees  between  the  barrels,  with  one  hand  on 
the  spigot  of  each,  and  exchanging  significant  winks 
with  Adams. 

"  Judging  from  present  appearances,"  whispered 
Henry  Synnot  to  Lydia,  "  the  company  will  soon 
snap  their  fingers  at  the  law,  and  then  will  be  my 
opportunity."  The  girl  gave  him  an  inquiring  look. 
*'  I  mean,"  he  pursued,  "  that  I'll  treat  them  to  a 
dance." 

The  jury  now  tasted  for  the  third  time  of  each 
cask;  Miss  Crabtree  and  Prudence  continued  to 
laugh  at  everybody  and  everything ;  the  widow 
Bull  fairly  roared  ;  Tom  Hubbard  whistled  ;  a-nd 
the  lad  with  the  moon  face  gave  Faith  Genness  a 
kiss.  Wadsworth  alone  remained  as  he  had  been 
from  the  beginning  of  the  feast,  thoroughly  self- 
possessed,  while   his   lowering   brow  showed  how 


CHARTER   OAK.  321 

greatly  he  was  provoked  at  the  turn  which  affairs 
had  taken.  Suddenly,  the  bagpipes  began  to  play. 
**  A  dance !"  cried  Tom  Hubbard,  jumping  to  his 
feet.  "A  dance,  a  dance!"  echoed  a  number  of 
other  voices,  and  among  them  you  could  distinguish 
that  of  the  widow  Bull,  who  was  making  mysterious 
signs  to  Jacob  Japheth.  Nancy  Clark  now  shrunk 
back  into  a  corner  with  distress  plainly  marked  on 
her  countenance.  The  regicide's  daughter,  how- 
ever, did  not  share  her  friend's  scruples  and  was 
the  first  to  accompany  the  musician  into  the  barn, 
slipping  her  arm  through  his  as  they  went  along, 
and  singing  a  merry  Scotch  ditty,  Avhich  her  father 
had  taught  her. 

They  had  almost  reached  the  threshing  floor, 
when  she  felt  some  one  pulling  her  sleeve,  and  look- 
ing round,  found  Nancy  close  behind  her.  "  Be- 
ware of  your  companion,"  whispered  her  friend, 
"  he  is  not  what  he  seems  ;  beware  of  him."  Then, 
before  Lydia  could  say  a  word  in  return,  the  young 
woman  was  lost  in  the  throng,  which  was  rushing 
pell  mell  after  them,  and  what  with  the  shrill  notes 
of  the  bagpipes,  the  clapping  (jf  hands,  the  loud 
barks  of  Miles  Standish,  you  might  have  supposed 
that  Bedlam  had  been  let  loose.  Wadsworth's 
lip  curled  with  indignation  as  he  saw  his  guests  dis- 
appearing,  treading  on  one  another's  heels,   and 


322  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

really  looking  like  mad  people.  But  what  could  he 
do? 

*'  What  a  shame !  the  whole  township  will  ring 
with  accounts  of  this  husking  party,"  he  muttered. 
"  Will  Dr.  Mather,  whose  ears  it  will  be  sure  to 
reach,  believe  me  when  I  tell  him  that  what  has 
happened  this  evening  could  not  have  been  pre- 
vented ?"  Wadsworth  did  not  notice  Nancy  as  she 
slipped  across  the  threshold  trembliug,  poor  girl, 
at  his  dark  look,  and  fearful  lest  he  might  call  her 
back  to  question  her  about  the  stranger  whom  she 
had  brought  under  his  roof.  But  mingled  with  his 
wrath  was  a  feeling  of  profound  regret.  Lydia, 
the  maiden  Avhom  he  admired  so  much,  was  she  the 
innocent  creature  he  had  believed  her  to  be  ?  Had 
his  eye  deceived  him,  or  had  she  really  coquetted 
with  the  homely,  red-headed  varlet  ?  "  Alas  !  for 
two  long  hours,  to  him,  and  to  no  one  else  did 
she  open  her  lips,"  sighed  the  chief  of  the  train- 
band ;  then,  unfolding  his  arms  and  clenching  his 
fists — "  but  'tis  a  mystery  which,  by  the  Lord,  I 
will  make  clear." 

At  this  moment  the  door  of  the  library  opened 
and  the  regicide  for  the  third  time  peeped  out,  the 
sudden  silence  had  astonished  the  old  gentleman. 
"  All  gone,"  he  whispered ;  "  pray  tell  me  what  has 
happened,  Mr.  Wadsworth,  you  look  troubled." 

"My  guests,  sir,  are  in  the  barn,  breaking  the  law 


CHARTER   OAK.  323 

by  an  imliallowed  amusement — they  are  dancing  !" 
returned  liis  host  bitterly,  and  lajang  stress  on  tlie 
last  word.  "  But  pray  do  not  leave  your  liidin*; 
place  ;  there  is  a  guest  amongst  them,  he  who  plays 
the  music,  whom  I  mistrust ;  remain  concealed,  I 
beg  you — the  fellow's  glance  is  rapid,  and  I  have 
a  strange  foreboding  that  his  presence  here  may 
bring  us  evil." 

While  these  remarks  were  passing  between  them, 
two  grey  eyes  were  peering  in  through  the  west 
window,  and  could  you  have  caught  the  expression 
of  Mr.  Clark's  face,  as  he  discovered  the  regicide, 
you  might  have  supposed  that  Nancy's  father  was 
a  fie  ad,  whose  soul  Avas  for  an  instant  lit  up  by  a 
hellish  joy.  "Aye,"  said  he,  rubbing  his  hands, 
"  'tis  Goffe,  as  I  live  !  a  little  older  than  when  I 
found  him  concealed  at  Captain  Bull's,  some  years 
ago,  but  'tis  he,  I  could  swear  it." 

Present^,  the  door  of  the  study  closed,  the  faco 
disappeared  from  the  window,  and  with  slow  step 
"Wadsworth  passed  into  the  barn.  When  he  en- 
tered, the  scene  was  if  possible  more  animated  than 
it  had  been  at  any  other  part  of  the  evening.  All 
except  the  musician  and  Lydia  were  dancing  in 
two  long  lines  facing  each  other,  with  the  pile  of 
corn  between,  and  on  top  of  the  pile  sat  the  un- 
known and  his  fair  companion. 

"  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  murmured  a  voice  a  little  in 


324  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

liis  rear,  "  Captain  Joseph  Wadsworth,  Satan  hatli 
conquered  !" 

The  master  of  the  house  ghinced  round,  and 
there,  half  buried  among  the  sheaves  of  barley, 
one  hand  pressing  his  forehead,  the  other  beating 
his  breast,  lay  the  ruling  elder.  This  spectacle 
capped  the  climax  of  our  host's  indignation,  and 
turning  abruptly  on  his  heel,  he  made  his  Avay  out 
into  the  open  air,  careless  whither  he  went,  and  not 
for  one,  nor  two,  nor  three  hours,  but  till  the  dawn 
appeared  in  the  East,  did  he  wander  about  like  one 
distracted.  And  when  at  length  he  re-entered  his 
home,  although  the  party  had  broken  up,  he  still 
fancied  he  could  hear  the  horrid  squeal  of  the  bag- 
pipes, and  the  hilarious  tones  of  the  widow  Bull  as 
she  went  through  the  figures  of  the  hornpipe,  op- 
posite Jacob  Japheth ;  and  as  he  lifted  the  latch, 
and  passed  into  the  now  silent  mansion,  he  half 
beUeved  that  a  witch  had  been  throwing  a  spell 
over  him. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

The  morning  after  the  husking  party  the  watch- 
man rang  his  bell  at  the  usual  hour,  but  for  the 
first  time  in  her  life  Miss  Crabtroe  felt  a  yearning 
desire  to  lie  abed.     There  was  a  strange,  throbbing 


CHARTER   OAK.  325 

sensation  about  lier  temples,  and  as  she  raised  her- 
self ou  her  elbow  and  tried  to  shake  off  her  drow- 
siness, she  gave  a  loud  yawn  which  ended  in  a 
groan. 

"  It  was  a  jolly  frolic,"  she  said,  "  but  if  all  the 
folks  what  was  here  last  evening  feel  as  I  do  now, 
there'll  not  be  much  scrubbing  and  churning  done 
in  Hartford  to-day" — then  clasping  her  hands — 
"  Oh  my !"  she  continued.  "  I  hope  I've  been 
dreaming !  But  no,  it  can't  be  ;  alas !  I  remember 
it  all  too  well  —  Satan  got  in  amongst  us.  Aye ! 
that  stranger,  whom  Nancy  Clark  introduced,  was 
the  old  boy  in  disguise.  Wherever  she  goes  she 
brings  some  mishap."  As  the  remembrance  of  the 
dancing  thus  flashed  upon  the  good-wife  she  be- 
came thoroughly  aroused  and  for  more  than  a  min- 
ute sat  up  in  bed,  shuddering  over  the  possible  con- 
sequences to  herself  and  her  nephew.  What  would 
be  done  to  them  ?  But  presently  her  countenance 
brightened.  "  Aye,"  she  said,  "  Israel  Barebones 
was  with  us,  and  although  he  didn't  dance  he  tooki 
more  wine  than  was  good  for  him,  and  he  must 
bear  his  share  of  the  sinning."  Then  rubbing  her 
hands  gleefully — "he's  our  ruling  elder,"  she  con- 
tinued ;  "  ha,  ha  !  pretty  nigh  the  whole  congrega- 
tion is  in  the  same  scrape,  ha  !  ha  !  ha.  Devil  or 
no  Devil,  'twas  fun  !"  While  these  thoughts  were 
passing  through  her  mind,    she    heard    some    one 


826  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

moving  in  the  room  below.  "  That's  Joe,"  she  said, 
"  making  the  fire  ;  he's  always  saving  me  as  much 
work  as  he  can,  may  the  Lord  bless  him  and  give 
him  luck  in  his  courtship.  And  yet — "  here  she 
frowned,  then  leaving  her  couch,  "  a  handsome 
girl,"  she  murmured,  "  is  Miss  Lydia ;  but  per- 
verse and  giddy,  and  if  she  fall,  as  I  fear  she  may, 
under  the  evil  influence  of  Nancy  Clark,  my  Joe 
might  as  well  give  up  all  hope." 

Miss  Crabtree  now  gave  the  servant-maid  a  call, 
in  a  voice  which  warned  the  drudge  that  there  was 
no  alternative  but  instant  obedience ;  then  hastily 
putting  on  her  gown  she  was  in  a  few  minutes  de- 
scending the  staircase.  On  arriving  below  she  found 
the  fire  lit  and  her  nephew  standing  with  his  face 
towards  it,  holding  in  his  hand  a  stick  of  hickory, 
which  he  threw  on  as  she  approached,  then  turned 
and  faced  her.  But  he  did  not  greet  her  as  usual, 
and  even  when  she  bade  him  good  morning,  he  re- 
mained silent.  Already  the  good  woman  had  felt 
some  misgiving  as  to  the  mood  she  would  find  him 
in,  after  the  events  of  the  past  night,  and  conse- 
quently this  behavior  did  not  surprise  her.  "  But 
then,"  she  thought,  placing  her  hand  on  his  shoul- 
der, "  he's  as  much  to  blame  for  the  dancing  as  I 
am,  and  so  he  needn't  be  in  a  huff.  Dear  knows, 
neither  of  us  could  have  stopped  it,  once  it  had  be- 


CHAllTER   OAK.  327 

gun."  Then  in  a  gentle  voice,  "  Joe,  Joe,"  she  said, 
'^hat  ails  you?" 

"  With  a  look  almost  of  despair,  Wadsworth  fixed 
his  gaze  upon  her.  "Aunt,"  he  said,  after  a 
moment's  hesitation,  "  aunt,  pray  that  I  may  see 
the  light.  Oh  !  I  fear  I  am  standing  on  the  brink 
of  a  precipice."  Then,  without  another  word,  he 
entered  his  study,  and  turning  the  key,  knelt  down 
and  began  a  prayer.  But  it  was  not  the  reproaches 
of  his  conscience  for  the  law-breaking  of  which  his 
house  had  been  the  scene,  which  drove  him  to  his 
knees.  Dancing  he  knew  was  a  grievous  sin,  but 
what  weighed  on  him  so  heavily  was  the  conduct  of 
the  regicide's  daughter,  which,  ever  since  his  re- 
treat from  the  husking  part}^  had  worried  him,  un- 
til now  he  was  half  distracted  and  he  felt  like  one 
in  a  wilderness,  uncertain  which  way  to  go  to  reach 
a  place  of  safety.  "  May  be,"  he  said,  "  'twas  a 
special  Providence  Avliich  sent  that  stranger  here, 
in  order  that  I  might  see  how  little  the  girl  cares 
for  me.  Lord  !  Lord  !  keep  me  from  breaking  my 
covenant — Oh  God!  give  me  light." 

Just  as  these  words  escaped  him  there  came  a 
tap  at  the  door.  He  stopped  and  listened.  Pre- 
sently there  was  another  tap,  then  a  voice  which 
he  could  not  mistake,  for  it  was  sweeter  to  his 
ears  than  any  other  sound  on  earth,  bade  him 
open. 


328  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"I  do  not  want  to  disturb  you,"  saidLydia  as  he 
obeyed  her  summons,  "  but  only  to  let  Miles  join 
his  master  ;  the  poor  fellow  has  been  whining  to 
enter,  how  came  you  to  forget  your  shadow  ?" 

"  Something  else  engrossed  my  thoughts.  Miss," 
answered  Wads  worth  coldly,  and  with  an  expression 
that  would  have  repelled  any  other  being  but  the 
one  he  was  addressing.  "Without  saying  more, 
Lydia  gave  the  dog  a  pat  on  the  head  and  with- 
drew, half  resolved  never  again  to  seek  admission 
into  the  library.  Presently,  Wadsworth  joined  Ler 
in  the  other  room,  but  instead  of  following  her 
every  moment  with  his  cavernous  eyes,  as  he  had 
hitherto  done,  he  stood  gazing  at  the  fire  and  mut- 
tering something  which  might  have  been  a  prayer. 

*'  Strange  man  !"  thought  Lydia,  "  strange  man  ! 
It  may  be  a  hard  fight  to  escape  you,  especially  if 
father  wishes  me  to  become  3^our  wife,  but  your 
gloom  would  weigh  me  down  like  a  mill-stone ;  no, 
no,  it  shall  not  come  to  pass."  Here  she  turned 
towards  the  south  window,  and  gazed  a  moment  in 
the  direction  of  Mr.  Clark's  house,  which,  even  if 
the  day  had  been  farther  advanced,  she  could 
hardly  have  distinguished,  standing  as  it  did  at  the 
other  end  of  the  town — but  now  in  the  twilight  she 
gave  full  rein  to  her  imagination. 

*'  I  wonder,"  she  asked  herself,  "  if  the  British 
officer  has  yet  started  back  on  his  way  to  Boston  ? 


CHAliTElt   OAK.  32. \ 

He  told  me  he  would  leave  at  an  early  hour.  Oh  ! 
I'm  glad  the  day  promises  to  be  fine.  And  yet  if 
it  snowed,  or  rained  he  might  postpone  his  journey 
and  then  I  might  see  him  to-day.  Now,  it  may  be 
months  before  he  returns." 

Could  Lydia  at  this  moment  have  been  trans- 
ported to  the  parlor  of  Mr.  Clark's  mansion,  she 
would  have  heard  an  interesting  and  important 
conversation  in  wdiich  Henry  Synnot  was  taking 
part — one,  however,  that  would  have  made  her 
tremble.  There,  side  by  side,  sat  Nancy's  father 
and  the  officer,  the  latter  booted  and  spurred  and 
warming  himself  at  the  fire  before  starting  on  his 
long  and  tiresome  journey,  while  his  host  was 
smiling  and  cracking  his  knuckles,  a  thing  he  never 
did  unless  in  very  good  humor. 

"  Oh,  it  was  a  great  discovery  ;"  exclaimed  Mr. 
Clark,  a  great  discover}^,  "  and  you  must  be  proud  to 
carry  the  news  to  Sir  Edmund.  High  ought  to  be 
-our  reward,  if  we  cage  the  bird.  He  escaped  me 
once,  but  I'll  be  more  wily  this  time  ;  yes,  the  regi- 
cide is  old,  and  by  the  short  ghmpse  I  had  of  him, 
I  could  see  that  he  is  infirm.  He'll  not  flee  into 
the  wilderness  again.  Eeally,  sir,  you  must  spur 
your  horse  and  come  back  as  soon  as  possible  at 
the  head  of  a  troop,  and  then  Goffe  will  be  a  pris- 
oner.    The  Hartford  train-band  has  brave  men  in 


>Ci 


[)30  tlOMANCE   OF  THE 

it,  but  a  score  or  so  of  red  coats  would  put  tliem  to 
the  right-about." 

While  Mr.  Clark  was  speaking,  the  officer  con- 
tinued to  warm  his  hands,  occasionally  nodding 
as  if  he  approved  of  what  was  said,  yet  without 
opening  his  lips  further  than  to  exclaim,  "  Oh,  yes," 
— "indeed," — "a  great  discovery."  The  truth  is,  his 
contempt  for  Nancy's  father  had  been  gradually  in- 
creasing, ever  since  the  latter  had  revealed  to  him 
his  plan  for  getting  possession  of  the  land  which 
the  town  of  Hartford  had  voted  for  school  purposes; 
but  this  last  scheme  crowned  Henry  Synnot's  in- 
dignation, until  now  he  felt  like  telling  the  speaker 
to  his  face,  what  a  contemptible  being  he  consider- 
ed him.  "  And  yet,"  thought  Synnot,  "  am  I  not 
very  inconsistent  ?  To  arrest  Goffe  must  surely  be 
my  duty,  at  least  while  I  am  serving  the  King." 

Here  he  again  nodded,  as  if  he  approved  of  w^hat 
Mr.  Clark  was  telling  him,  then  drew  on  his  gaunt- 
lets. 

"As  for  the  conduct  of  my  daughter,  sir,"  pur- 
sued his  host,  "  I  humbly  apologize  for  it.  She 
meant  no  disrespect,  but  doubtless  grew  confused 
by  the  music  and  the  dancing  ;  otherwise  she  w^ould 
certainly  not  have  returned  home  at  such  an  early 
hour,  and  without  her  gallant  escort.  Nevertheless, 
I  will  speak  to  her  about  it,  and  give  her  a  repri- 
mand." 


CHARTER   OAK.  331 

"  Pray,  do  uo  sucli  thing,"  rejoined  Synnot,  ab- 
ruptly ;  "  the  guests  were  very  noisy,  the  room  un- 
comfortably crowded,  and  I  can  well  excuse  Miss 
Clark  for  not  having  remained  until  the  entertain- 
ment broke  up.  Eather  ought  I  to  ask  pardon  of 
her  for  not  having  accompanied  her  home,  and 
were  the  young  lady  present  I  would  certainly  do 
so." 

"  Well,  well,  then  I'll  not  mention  the  subject," 
returned  Mr.  Clark,  "  yet  I  Avonder  she  did  not  stay 
until  the  end,  it  must  have  been  so  amusing." 

"  Well,  it  was  a  funny  sight,  and  one  which  I'll 
not  soon  forget,  and  I'll  wager  many  of  the  guests 
have  headaches  this  morning."  With  this,  the 
officer  turned  and  went  out  on  the  porch,  where  his 
palfrey  was  waiting  for  him,  and  springing  into  the 
saddle  he  was  much  inclined  to  depart  without 
further  ceremony,  when  Mr.  Clark  overtook  him 
and  offered  his  hand.  For  a  moment  Henry  Syn- 
not hesitated  whether  or  no  he  would  give  his  host 
a  farewell  grasp — the  misgiving  which  he  felt  as  to 
the  treatment  Nancy  might  receive  after  he  would 
be  gone,  tempted  him  to  be  rude  to  her  cruel  parent. 
He  overcame  his  aversion,  however,  after  a  struggle, 
and  they  parted  with  every  sign  of  good  wil],  Mr. 
Clark  assuring  him  as  he  moved  off,  that  he  would 
be  as   watchful   as  a  lynx,  as  cunning  as  a  fox — 


332  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"  and  do   you   hurry  back,"   lie  added  "  witli  the 
troops." 

Such  were  the  words  which  passed  between 
Nancy's  father  and  his  guest,  Avhile  Lydia  was  gaz- 
ing out  of  the  window  this  morning,  and  while 
Wadsworth  stood  near  her,  wrestKng  with  himself 
and  praying  for  strength  to  keep  his  vow. 


CHAPTEE  XVI. 

During  the  week  which  followed  the  husking, 
Wadsworth  made  several  attemjDts  to  engage  Lydia 
in  serious  conversation  ;  for  although  he  had  de- 
termined to  conquer  the  passion  he  felt  for  her,  yet 
his  interest  in  the  girl's  spiritual  welfare  prevented 
him  from  holding  entirely  aloof,  and  there  were 
other  books  besides  the  Assembly  Catechism  which 
he  wanted  her  to  read.  Yet,  whenever  he  would 
beckon  her  to  enter  the  study,  Lydia  would  assure 
him  that  she  had  something  to  do,  either  at  the 
oven  or  up  in  her  bedroom,  then  with  a  half  sup- 
pressed smile  she  would  turn  away  and  leave  him, 
to  mourn  over  her  indifference  in  regard  to  church 
matters.  "  And  yet,"  he  would  murmur,  withdraw- 
ing alone  into  the  library,  "  it  is  not  poor  Nancy 
who  is  leading   her  astray.     No,  in  spite  of  what 


CHARTER   OAK.  383 

my  aunt  says,  Miss  Clark  is  at  heart  a  good 
Christian,  and  I  am  sure  I  have  guessed  the  true 
reason  why  she  absents  herself  from  meeting  ;  yes, 
her  father  has  made  her  his  slave.  Oh  Nancy  ! 
may  God  one  of  these  days  deliver  you  from  your 
cruel  parent  and  may  I  resist  the  great  temptation! 
Oh,  Nancy  !  I  am  sure  you  are  praying  for  me." 

Miss  Crabtree  of  course  did  not  fail  to  notice 
Lydia's  behavior  toward  her  nephew,  and  Adams, 
who  passed  three  evenings  with  them— to  his  own 
pecuniary  loss — for  the  tavern  always  suffered  dur- 
ing his  absence— was  much  annoyed  by  it,  too.  He 
Hkewise  wondered  at  his  chief  for  not  pressing  his 
suit  with  more  ardor.  "  Aye,"  he  growled,  "  Cap- 
tain Joe  ought  to  take  her  by  storm.  If  he  don't, 
she  won't  be  long  in  becoming  Mrs.  Somebody- 
else." 

Once  he  ventured  to  urge  Wadsworth  to  broach 
the  subject  to  Colonel  Goffe,  whose  authority  over 
his  daughter  was  unbounded,  while  at  the  same 
time  her  obedience  and  reverence  for  him  had  al- 
ways been  most  edif^'ing.  But  the  Captain's  sole 
response  to  this  suggestion  had  been  a  shrug  of 
his  shoulders. 

Through  the  week  Lydia  made  several  attempts 
to  find  her  friend  Nancy ;  but  not  once  did  she 
meet  her  in  the  street,  and  whenever  she  approach- 
ed her  home,  Mr.  Clark  was  sure  to  be  standing  on 


334  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

the  porcli  with  his  sinister  face  warning  her  away, 

and  consequently  she  nevej*  ventured  nearer  than 
the  outer  gate. 

Again  the  Sabbath  came  around,  the  rigid  New 
England  Sabbath,  bringing  with  it  a  soft,  balmy  air 
and  a  blue  sky.  But  in  the  town  of  Hartford  not  a 
sound  was  heard,  even  the  dogs  did  not  bark,  nor 
did  the  geese  cackle  as  on  other  days,  and  you 
might  have  thought  the}^  were  vying  with  the  in- 
habitants to  see  which  could  be  the  best  Puritans. 

The  morning  meal — prepared  the  evening  before, 
so  as  not  to  break  the  Lord's  day  by  working  ever 
so  little — had  just  been  finished,  and  Lydia  was 
about  withdrawing  to  her  room  to  make  ready  for 
church,  when  the  door  of  the  study  opened,  and 
Colonel  Goffe,  who,  like  herself,  had  been  told  he 
might  go  there,  at  his  pleasure,  made  her  a  sign  to 
enter.  The  girl  obeyed,  and  as  she  passed  in,  Miss 
Crabtree's  countenance,  which  unii)  now  had  been 
as  grave  as  if  she  had  been  at  a  funej-al,  suddenly 
brightened,  while  her  eyes  gave  a  significant  glance 
at  her  nephew.  But  the  latter  appeared  not  to 
notice  her.  He  had  only  left  the  library  a  few 
minutes  before,  and  was  now  walking  up  and  down 
the  apartment,  his  arms  folded  on  his  breast,  and 
talking  to  himself.  "  Perhaps,"  he  was  saying, 
**  perhaps  my  aged  guest  has  heard  me  regret  his 
daughter's  unwillingness  to  own  the  covenant,  and 


CHARTER   OAK.  335 

has  called  her  into  mj  sauctuin  in  order  to  give  her 
some  religious  instruction.  May  he  succeed  where 
I  have  failed !" 

Little  did  Wadsworth  guess  the  subject  of  the 
regicide's  conversation  with  the  girl ;  little  did  he 
know  that  his  aunt  Charity,  at  the  instigation  of 
..LiA  Adams,  had  had  a  private  iutervievv^  wdtb 
tlie  (jM  gentleman  on  the  subject  of  matiimony. 

"  Slie  is  aij  obedient  girl,"  whispered  Goody 
Garlic  to  Miss  Crabtree,  "  and  will  do  any  thing  he 
bids  her." 

"  1  hope  you  may  be  right,"  murmured  the  other, 
who  since  the  husking  party  had  not  been  so  con- 
fident of  her  nephew's  obtaining  the  prize,  which 
she  hoped  and  believed  he  had  set  his  heart  upon. 
"  But,  Prudence,  she's  a  willful  critter  and  I'm 
afraid  will  have  her  way  in  spite  of  the  ten  com- 
mandments. However,  I've  taken  the  liberty  to 
speak  to  her  parent  on  the  great  question,  and 
until  I  hear  the  result  of  the  interview^  I'll  not  give 
Lip  hope." 

The  regicide,  having  seated  himself,  eyed  his 
daughter  a  moment  in  silence,  and  on  his  counten- 
nance  there  Avas  the  old  stern  look,  which  had  so 
often  darkened  it  when  he  was  in  Cromwell's  army, 
but  which  Lydia  did  not  remember  ever  to  have 
seen   there  before.     One  of  the  girl's  hands  was 


336  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

clasping  the  other,  her  head  was  slightly  bent  and 
she  looked  sorely  troubled,  for  she  suspected  what 
was  coming.  All  the  lessons  which  Goody  Garlic 
had  taaglit  her  since  infancy,  urged  her  to  submis- 
sion ;  but  her  heart  bade  her  remain  true  to  the 
vision  in  the  forest,  and  at  this  moment  Henry 
Synnot  rose  before  her  with  a  life-like  reality.  The 
spot  upon  her  hand  where  his  lips  had  pressed, 
burned  with  a  sweet  and  holy  fire,  while  in  her  ears 
she  heard  again  all  the  enchanting  words  he  had 
spoken  at  the  husking. 

"  Lydia,"  began  the  Colonel,  "  I  have  summoned 
you  here  for  the  purpose  of  talking  over  a  very  im- 
portant matter — the  abru23tness  with  wLicli  I  intro- 
duce it  may  startle  you — it's  nothing  les^  than  your 
marrying  our  host.  Have  you  ought  against  hitn 
which  might  prevent  such  a  happy  event?  For 
my  part,  I  urge  it  with  all  my  heart  and  soul."  A 
deep  silence  followed — Lydia  appeared  thunder- 
struck. "  Speak,  child,  speak,"  continued  the  old 
soldier  at  length,  knitting  his  brow.  "  Is  not  what 
I  ask  a  most  reasonable  thing  ?  Have  I  not  left 
my  hiding-place  in  the  forest  in  order  that  you 
might  have  an  opportunity  of  finding  a  husband  ? 
and  is  not  our  host  worthy  of  your  choice  ?  He  is 
rich,  he  has,  I  do  believe,  a  great  career  before  him  ; 
he  loves  3'ou,  and  although  he  has  not  spoken  to 
me  on  the  subject,  he  wants  to  marry  you,  I  know 


CHARTER   OAK  337 

he  does  Why  then  do  you  repel  him  every  time 
he  makes  the  least  advance?  Speak,  child,  do  not 
irritate  me  by  your  silence." 

But  Lydia's  lips  remained  closed,  while  her 
bosom  heaved. 

"  My  daughter,"  pursued  the  regicide,  after  an 
effort  to  preserve  his  calmness,  "  unless  you  con- 
form with  my  wishes,  we  must  soon  return  to  the 
log  cabin.  It  would  not  be  proper  for  us  to  con- 
tinue always  under  Mr.  Wadsworth's  roof,  for  I  be- 
lieve, from  what  I  know  of  his  temperament,  that 
it  would  drive  him  mad  to  have  3'ou  always  near 
him,  and  yet  not  able  to  call  you  his  own.  Oh, 
child,  think  of  my  ending  my  days  in  the  solitude 
we  have  just  left !  And  then,  what  would  be  your 
own  fate  ?  Does  it  not  seem  the  hand  of  Providence 
which  has  guided  us  both  hither — me  that  I  might 
eud  my  days  in  comfort  and  peace,  and  you,  that 
you  might  find  a  husband  ?  Poor  lonely  oird  that 
you  were,  far  up  the  Connecticut !  Lydia,  Lydia, 
many  a  time  have  I  wept  to  think  of  you  dwelling 
among  wolves  and  panthers." 

A  tear  trickled  down  the  old  gentleman's  cheek 
as  he  uttered  these  words.  It  was  a  sight  the  girl 
could  not  bear  without  crying  herself,  and  falling  at 
his  feet  she  bowed  her  head  and  sobbed  aloud. 
"  Oh,  father,  father,"  she  cried,  "what  can  I  do? 
I  want  to  obey  but " 


338  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

Here  grief  drowned  her  voice,  wliile  Colonel 
Goffe  reproached  himself  for  having  spoten  so 
harshly. 

"  Father,"  she  exclaimed  at  length,  and  looking 
up  at  him  through  her  tears,  "  I  have  never  con- 
cealed anything  from  you,  why  should  I  ?  no,  no,  I 
never  will." 

"  Well,  my  daughter,  if  there  be  any  good  rea- 
son for  rejecting  the  Captain,  pray  reveal  it ;  I  may 
then  perhaps  be  less  astonished  at  your  conduct. 
The  reason,  however,  should  be  weighty,  aye,  very 
weighty.  Why,  I  venture  there  is  not  another  girl 
in  Hartford  but  would  rejoice  were  he  to  offer  him- 
self ;  come,  don't  cry  any  more,  but  tell  me  what 
you  have  against  our  host." 

"  Well,  father,  he's  a  very  godly  man,  no  doubt, 
and  I  hope  the  Lord  may  pros^c^^  the  great  scheme 
of  his  Hfe,  the  independence  <:{  these  colonies, 
but " 

"Well,  child,  but but  what  ?     Here  you  ar^ 

praising  him,  now  what  strange  ending  will  your 
sentence  have  ?" 

"  But,  father,  if  I  love  another  ?"  The  regicide 
started — here  indeed  was  a  piece  of  news  to  make 
him  lift  his  e}' obrows. 

"  Love  another  !'  h\?-  exclaimed  ;  "  but,  dear  me, 
where  have  you  met  any  one  else  except  Mad 
Adams  ?"     Then,  after   a  pause,  during  which  he 


CHARTER   OAK.  339 

shrugged  Lis  shoulders,  "  Yes,"  he  went  on,  "  T 
forgot ;  3^ou  have  been  a  few  da^' s  longer  hi  the 
settlement  than  I,  and  have  of  course  met  other 
men  besides  Mr.  Wadsworth.  Oh,  Goody  Garlic, 
Goody  Garlic  !  why  did  you  not  look  better  after 
your  charge  ?" 

"  Don't  blame  nurse,  father,  no,  do  not." 

"  Well,  if  I  find  the  gallant  who  has  stolen  your 
affections  is  worthy  of  you,  I  may  have  no  cause  to 
blame  her,  though  he  addressed  you  Avithout  first 
asking  my  leave,  as  required  by  the  laws  of  the 
commonwealth.  But  tell  me  who  on  earth  is  he  ?" 
This  w'as  the  question  which  L3'dia  had  so  dreaded 
he  would  ask  ;  it  is  not  therefore  surprising  if  she 
hesitated  with  her  answer — it  was  the  most  trying 
moment  of  her  life.  Her  father  repeated  the  ques- 
tion. 

"  He  is  an  oflicer  in  the  British  army,"  she  re- 
plied at  length,  and  lowering  her  voice.  "  There, 
you  have  my  secret,  all  my  secret ;  ah,  it  is  one  I 
would  not  reveal  to  any  other  being  on  earth,  but 
you." 

If  the  old  soldier  had  been  astonished  to  learn 
that  his  daughter  was  in  love  with  another  man 
than  their  host,  imagine  the  effect  of  this,  her 
second  announcement. 

"  An  officer  in  the  British  army  !     Chikl,  are  you 


340  EOMANCE   OF  THE 

sane?"  lie  exclaimed,  starting  and  clasping  his 
hands. 

"  It  is  true,  sir,  it  is  true  ;  I  said  I  would  conceal 
nothing,  and  let  me  add,  it  was  he  who  saved  mo 
from  the  w  >lves  when  we  were  on  our  way  to  Hart- 
ford." 

"  Here  the  regicide  murmured,  "  God  bless  him!" 
then  for  a  moment  buried  his  face  in  his  hands ; 
"  How  strange,"  he  thought,  "  how  strange  the 
ways  of  Providence  !  Here  am  I  a  fugitive  with 
a  price  set  on  my  head,  concealed  under  the  roof  of 
Joseph  Wadswortth,  and  my  daughter  in  love  with 
a  man,  who  mayhap  has  been  sent  to  these  parts 
for  the  very  purpose  of  searching  for  me." 

Lydia  now  went  on  to  assure  her  father  that 
there  was  no  danger  of  any  harm  coming  from  her 
meeting  with  t'ne  officer. 

"  Well,  child,"  he  said,  shaking  his  head,  "  I  hope 
not.  As  for  myself,  I  am  old,  my  days  will  soon 
be  over,  and  it  would  matter  little  if  I  were  appre- 
hended and  carried  to  England  for  execution  ;  but 
for  all  the  world,  I  would  not  be  the  cause  of  bring- 
ing trouble  on  him  who  has  so  generously  offered 
us  the  shelter  of  Lis  roof.  Thank  God !  before 
leaving  home  you  took  an  assumed  name." 

At  these  words  Lydia  turned  deadly  pale.  Oh ! 
what  an  unspeakable  relief  it  was  when  presently 
she  heard  the  church  bells  ring.     It  gave  her  an 


CHARTER   OAK.  341 

excuse  to  bring  this  trying  interview  to  an  end 
— slie  must  make  haste  and  prepare  for  meeting. 
Colonel  Goffe  saw  that  she  was  anxious  to  be  ofi', 
so,  without  another  word,  he  kissed  her  and  she 
hast-ened  out  of  the  room. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Lydia,  with  Prudence  Garlic  on  her  right  and 
Miss  Crabtree  on  her  left,  sallied  forth  to  meeting, 
this  morning,  with  very  agitated  feehngs.  Her  ex- 
pression, however,  was  very  gratifying  to  one  of  the 
old  maids,  who  highly  approved  of  her  gravity,  and 
as  they  walked  along  towards  the  meeting-house, 
Charity  expressed  a  hope  that  before  long  she 
would  own  the  covenant  and  become  a  full  member 
of  the  fold,  and  as  the  girl  made  no  response,  the 
dame  concluded  that  the  spirit  of  grace  was  silently 
Avorking  within  her. 

"  I  don't  like  Lyddy's  sorroAvful  look,"  whispered 
Goody  Garlic  to  her  friend  ;  "  t'was  a  rash  move 
when  you  urged  her  father  to  speak  to  her  on  the 
subject  of  matrimony  ;  that's  a  thing  which  always 
works  better  when  it's  left  to  the  parties  most  in- 
terested." 

"  What,"  exclaimed  the  other,   "  think  you  the 


342  EOMANCE   OF   THE 

old  gentleman  has  been  scolding  her  '?  Why,  I  at- 
tributed her  demure  expression  to  its  being  the 
Sabbath — and  so  you  think  she's  told  him  she 
wouldn't  marry  my  Joe  ?" 

Prudence  made  no  answer,  but  shook  her  head 
and  endeavored  to  get  rid  of  the  anxiety  which  was 
pressing  upon  her,  by  gazing  at  the  throng  of 
people,  all,  like  themselves  wending  their  way  to 
church,  and  who  presented  certainly  a  curious 
and  interesting  spectacle.  Nearly  all  the  males 
had  linen  bands  of  spotless  whiteness  around  their 
necks,  and  as  stiff  as  starch  could  make  them,  while 
on  their  heads  they  wore  the  steeple  crowned  hats 
of  the  Pilgrims,  and  occasionally,  one  a  little  vainer 
than  his  fellows  might  have  been  seen  with  silver 
buckles  in  his  shoes,  instead  of  the  ordinary  brass 
ones.  Farmers  on  horseback  went  ambling  by,  clad 
in  mooseskin  coats,  and  with  cowle-sliaped  hoods 
drawn  well  over  their  faces,  while  not  a  few  had 
swords  clanking  at  their  sides,  the  habit  of  wearing 
weapons  having  been  contracted  during  King 
Philip's  war  ;  and  although  for  the  past  few  years 
the  remnants  of  the  Wampanoags  and  Narragan- 
setts  had  manifested  no  disposition  to  molest  the 
settlers,  yet  many  of  the  latter  had  not  been  able 
to  give  the  habit  up.  Their  wives  and  daughters, 
who  rode  behind  them  on  pillions,  carried  foot- 
:sfcoves — a  warm  meeting-house  being  an  interdicted 


CHARTOR   OAK.  J]43 

luxury— and  these  little  wooden  boxes,  pt^-forated 
with  holes  and  containing  earthen  cups  filled  with 
embers,  would  at  least  keep  their  feet  from  freez- 
ing. Prudence  likewise  observed  that  the  majority 
of  the  people  did  not  stop  at  the  meeting  house  on 
the  green,  but  kept  on  towards  the  church,  built,  as 
we  have  remarked  in  a  former  chapter,  in  1670, 
and  where  those  worshipped  who  preferred  the  old 
and  strict  ways  of  the  congregational  order  and 
deprecated  any  latitude  in  the  administration  of 
baptism. 

When  they  reached  the  green,  Lydia  for  the  first 
time  looked  up  and  as  she  beheld  the  solemn  faced 
women  patiently  seated  on  their  pillions,  waiting 
their  turns  to  dismount  at  the  horse  block,  she 
could  not  help  smiling  and  thought  hoAv  quickly 
she  herself  would  have  sprung  off  her  steed,  had 
she  been  mounted.  Presently,  she  arrived  at  the 
door  of  the  church,  and  was  about  ascending  the 
steps  when  she  felt  somebody  pull  her  sleeve,  and 
glancing  round,  found  the  widow  Bull  close  behind 
her.  The  good  woman  was  too  much  out  of  breath 
to  speak,  and  her  countenance,  usually  so  jovial, 
looked  as  solemn  as  if  she  had  just  lost  her  dearest 
fi'iend  on  earth  ;  and  yet  Lydia  fancied  that  she 
could  detect  a  lurking  expression  of  fun  in  the  cor- 
ner of  her  eyes.  On  each  of  the  dame's  shoulders 
was  a  rosette  of  green  ribbons,  at  which  a  crowd  of 


344  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

men  and  women  were  gazing,  while  some  shook 
their  heads  and  openly  declared  that  such  vanity 
merited  instant  punishment.  No  sooner  did  Lydia 
notice  the  decorations,  then  she  likewise  manifest- 
ed great  astonishment,  for  she  remembered  that 
Mrs.  Bull  had  not  ventured  to  wear  them  at  the 
husking  party ;  how  then  did  she  dare  put  them  on 
on  the  Lord's  day  ?  The  good  woman  must  have 
guessed  what  was  passing  through  her  mind,  for 
placing  her  mouth  close  to  the  girl's  ear — 

"  Since  they  all  sinned  that  night,"  she  whisper- 
ed, "  drinkin  too  much  and  dancin,'  I'll  brave  'em 
now,  and  wear  openly  whatever  I  please." 

"And  I  will  back  you  up  if  they  say  anything," 
rejoined  Lydia,  pressing  the  good  woman's  hand  ; 
"  yes,  I  will  back  you  up." 

Amongst  those  who  took  scandal  at  the  losettes, 
was  Mr.  Genness,  father  of  one  of  the  Cherubs.  "  I 
fear  my  daughter  Faith  will  be  greatly  shocked," 
he  remarked  to  Mrs.  Genness. 

"  And  my  Dorothy,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Philbrick, 
who  had  overheard  the  remark,  "  will  likewise  bo 
much  pained  at  the  sight.  However,  I  have  no 
fear  on  her  account ;  but  others  less  inclined  to 
godliness,  may  be  tempted  to  stray  from  the  path 
c4  simplicity  by  such  an  exhibition  of  dress." 

"  Never  let  a  weed  grow  to  maturity,"  exclaimed 
a  lugubrious  voice  :  "  check  it  ^vllen  it  is  small  and 


CHAUTKU   OAK.  315 

tender,  antl  before  it  can  tlirow  out  seed.  Aye, 
brethren,  the  sphit  of  vanity  must  be  rooted  out  at 
once." 

Thus  spoke  Israel  Barebones,  whose  tall,  hxnky 
figure  was  slowly  pushing  its  way  through  the 
group  in  the  direction  of  the  meeting-house  door. 
He  had  just  reached  the  foot  of  the  stoop  when  a 
shrill  voice  screamed  out — "  Who  drank  too  much 
at  the  husking  ? — who,  who,  who  ?" 

Immediately,  every  face  in  the  crowd  was  turned 
towards  the  spot  whence  the  sound  had  proceeded ; 
but  Tom  Hubbard,  jr.,  who  was  as  active  as  he  was 
saucy,  had  already  run  back  and  mingled  with  his 
companions  at  the  rear  of  the  building. 

As  the  voice  died  away  the  ruling  elder  bowed 
his  head.  "True,"  he  murmured,  "  true  ;  I  sinned 
and  I  deserve  rebuke" — while  the  rest  of  the  people, 
who  like  himself  had  been  Wadsworth's  guests  on 
that  festive  occasion,  felt  as  guilty  as  Mr.  Bare- 
bones,  and  consequently,  instead  of  smiling  at  what 
the  lad  had  said,  blushed  to  think  of  their  own 
transgressions.  Yet  amongst  them  all,  not  one  had 
punished  himself  for  his  sins,  as  he  whose  head  was 
at  this  moment  bowed  in  humiliation.  Yes,  ever 
since  the  husking  party  the  ruling  elder  had  eaten 
but  one  meal  a  day,  and  now,  as  he  ascended  the 
steps  of  the  church,  he  resolved  to  increase  his 
penance.     "  In  my  bare  feet,"  he  murmured, "  will  I 


346  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

chop  wood  this  coming  week  /  yes  in  my  bare 
feet." 

Only  the  widow  Bull  presumed  to  smile  at  what 
the  lad  had  said.  Oh,  it  did  please  her  beyond  any 
thing  to  see  one  who  was  forever  spying  out  the 
faults  of  others,  at  last  publicly  reminded  of  his 
own  shortcomings. 

By  this  time  Lydia  was  inside  the  church,  where 
she  found  the  sexton  giving  his  last  pull  at  the  bell- 
rope,  which  hung  down  in  the  centre  of  the  build- 
ing and  haK  way  between  the  entrance  and  the 
pulpit.  On  the  right  were  a  number  of  wooden 
benches,  without  cushions  or  backs,  and  these. 
Prudence  told  her,  belonged  to  the  male  worship- 
pers, many  of  whom  were  already  in  their 'seats  ; 
while  beside  the  benches  a  number  of  little  boys 
were  perched  on  stools,  and  Lydia  remarked  that 
they  had  been  well  trained,  for  not  one  of  them 
opened  his  lips,  or  looked  around,  or  up  at  the  ceil- 
ing, or  in  any  other  direction,  but  straight  in  front 
of  him. 

The  regicide's  daughter,  still  carefully  watched 
by  Miss  Crabtree,  now  advanced  down  the  left  side 
of  the  building,  which  was  devoted  exclusively  to 
females,  and  as  she  passed  by  the  little  girls,  who, 
like  their  brothers  opposite,  were  ranged  on  stools, 
she  could  not  help  laughing  at  the  efforts  which 
they  made  to  keep  sileut,     But  even  in  the  house 


CHARTER   OAK.  347 

of  prayer  tlioj  could  not  hold  tlieir  tougaes,  wliile 
tlie  inborn  curiosity  of  tlieir  sex  made  their  eyes 
turn  upon  every  body  who  entered,  and  quite  a  tit- 
ter ran  down  the  line,  when  the  rosettes  of  the 
widow  Bull  appeared  in  view. 

Prudence  called  Lydia's  attention  to  the  old  folks 
who  occupied  the  front  seats.  "  Gray  hairs  firft," 
remarked  the  goodwife,  "  while  behind  them  sits  the 
minister's  family,  the  parish  committee,  whose  duty 
it  is  once  a  year  to  dignify  the  seats,  and  the  town 
officers.  It's  not  the  richest  who  hold  the  choicest 
places  in  the  house  of  worship  !" 

In  another  moment  the  ruling  elder  took  his 
place  under  the  pulpit,  facing  the  congregation,  and 
producing  the  hour-glass,  put  it  on  the  stand  in 
front  of  him  — it  was  nine  o'clock,  and  time  for  ser- 
vice to  begin.  Presently,  the  two  deacons  appear- 
ed and  dropped  upon  a  bench  which  was  a  little  in 
front  of  Israel  Barebones,  and  like  him  they  faced 
the  congregation  ;  then,  after  a  short  interval,  came 
the  clergyman,  a  large,  robust  man  with  horny 
hands  and  sunburnt  visage,  which  showed  that  he 
was  accustomed  to  make  his  own  hay,  plant  his 
own  corn,  and  do  other  things  besides  preach. 
As  soon  as  he  entered  the  pulpit,  he  knelt  down 
and  the  people  followed  his  example  ;  then,  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour,  he  poured  forth  an  earnest 
prayer,  which,    considering  that  it  was  impromtu, 


348  KOMANCE   OF  THE 

was  really  very  good.  Perhaps  the  worthy  man's 
grammar  might  have  been  open  to  criticism,  but 
what  did  that  matter,  if  the  spirit  of  his  words 
went  to  the  hearts  of  his  audience.  When  he 
had  finished,  Mr.  Genness  rose,  and  in  his  capacity 
of  teacher  read  aloud  a  chapter  from  the  book  of 
Kings,  stopping  often  to  expound  difficult  passages. 
After  the  lecture  there  was  a  stir  amongst  the 
congregation,  and  Miss  Crabtree  handed  Lydia  a 
copy  of  the  Bay  Psahn-Book.  "  AYe're  going  now 
to  sing,"  whispered  the  dame,  "  don't  be  afraid  to 
let  it  out,  follow  my  example." 

Presendy,  the  ruling  elder  announced  that  they 
would  chant  the  nineteenth  Psalm,  beginning, 
"  The  heavens  do  declare — "  after  which,  for  about 
a  minute,  there  was  a  rustling  of  leaves,  then  the 
people,  rising  to  their  feet,  sang  the  following  from 
the  Bay  Psalm-Book : 

The  Heavens  do  declare 

The  majesty  of  God, 

Also  the  firmament  shows  forth 

His  handy  work  abroad. 

Day  speaks  to  day,  knowledge 

Night  hath  to  night  declared  ; 

There  neither  speech  nor  language  is 

Where  their  voice  is  not  heard. 

Through  all  the  earth  their  line 

Is  gone  forth,  and  unto 

The  utmost  end  of  all  the  world. 

Their  speeches  roach  also  ; 

A  tabernacle  He 

In  them  pitched  for  the  sun, 


CHARTER   OAK.  349 

Who,  bridegroom  like,  from's  chamber  goes 

Glad  giants'  race  to  run 

From  heaven's  utmost  end. 

His  course  and  compassing 

To  ends  of  it,  and  from  the  heat 

Therefore  is  hid  nothing. 

II. 
The  Lord's  law  perfect  is, 
The  soul  converting  back  ; 
God's  testimony  faithful  is. 
Makes  wise  who    wisdom  lack. 
The  Statutes  of  the  Lord 
Are  right,  and  glad  the  heart  : 
The  Lord's  commandment  is  pure, 
Light  doth  to  eyes  impart. 
Jehovah's  fear  is  clean, 
And  doth  endure  forever  ; 
The  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true, 
And  righteous  altogether. 
Then  gold,  then  much  fine  gold, 
More  to  be  prized  are, 
Then  honey  and  the  honeycomb, 
Sweeter  they  are  by  far. 
Alt^o  thy  servant  is 
Admonished  from  hence  ; 
And  in  the  keeping  of  the  same 
Is  a  full  recompense. 
Who  can  his  errors  know  ? 
From  secret  faults  clean     me, 
And  from  presumptuous  sins,  let  thoQ 
Kept  back  thy  servant  be  ; 
Let  them  not  bear  the  rule 
In  me,  and  then  shall  I 
Be  perfect  and  shall  cleansed  be 
From  much  iniquity. 
Let  the  words  of  my  mouth, 
And  the  thoughts  of  my  heart. 
Be  pleasing  with  Thee,  Lord  my  rock. 
Who  my  Redeemer  art.* 
Bay-Psalm  Book ,  Prince  library ,  Boeton. 


350  •  BOMANCE   OF  THE 

When  tlie  liymu  was  finished,  tlie  people  resum- 
ed their  seats,  and  the  pastor  began  his  sermon, 
which,  hke  the  prayer,  was  quite  extempore,  choos- 
ing for  his  text,  Luke  xvi — 23.  It  opened  with 
a  threat  to  sinners  of  everlasting  punishment,  then 
went  on  thus  : 

' '  Consider  God  Himself  will  be  the  principal  agent  in  thy 
misery.  He  is  that  consuming  fire  ;  His  Lreatli  is  thy  bellowK, 
which  blows  up  the  flame  of  hell  forever.  He  is  the  devouring 
fire,  the  everlasting  burning  ;  and  if  He  punish  thee,  if  He  meet 
thee  in  His  fuiy,  He  will  not  meet  thee  as  a  man  ;  He  will  give 
thee  an  Omnipotent  blow.  Little  dost  thou  know  what  it  is  to 
enter  the  list  of  contention  with  the  Almight}^ 

"  If  His  wrath  kindle  but  a  little  while,  we  wither  before  it. 
Now,  fJiou  art  afraid  of  the  wrath  of  men  ;  what  wilt  thou  do, 
when  God  takes  thee  in  hand  ?  Consider,  God  will  take  delight 
to  execute  vengeance  on  thee. 

"  God  dehghts  in  justice  and  in  executing  His  own  decrees. 
Now,  it  was  His  eternal  decree  to  destroy  sinners  forever.  He 
purposed  to  show  His  power  and  to  make  His  wrath  known  upon 
the  vessels  of  wTath  fitted  for  destruction. 

"  But  woe  to  that  soul  whom  God  shall  delight  to  punish. 
Now,  thou  laughest  at  the  rei3roofs  which  God  gives  thee  by  His 
ministers  and  people.  God  will  laugh  at  thee  shortly.  And  wilt 
thou  bear  when  He  shall  torment  thee,  and  thou  shalt  roar  under 
thy  torments?  Thou  shalt  cry  for  mere}',  and  he  shall  mock 
thee.  Thou  now  rejoicest  in  sinning  ;  He  will  eije  long  rejoice  in 
thy  calamity.' 

The  congregation  by  this  time  had  become  thor- 
oughly aroused ;  Mr.  Genness'  face  was  the  hue  of  a 
corpse.  Miss  Crabtree  and  Prudence  groaned  aloud, 
even  Tom  Hubbard  was  slightly  aifeeted,  and  when 
the  minister,  who  had  paused  a  moment  in  order  to 
study  the  ejBfect  of  his  words,  went  on   to  describe 


CHAKTER   OAK.  351 

Hell,  lie  fixed  his  gaze  upon  the  lad,  and  Tom,  bold 
as  he  was,  hung  his  head. 

"  Consider,"  he  said,  "what  must  be  thy  employment  there. 
I. — Sin.  Some  think  sinning  ends  -vvith  this  life,  but  it  is  a  mis 
take.  The  creature  is  held  nnder  an  everlasting  law  ;  the  damned 
increase  in  sin  in  hell.  Possiblj^  the  mention  of  this  may  not  please 
thee.  But  remember,  there  shall  be  no  pleasant  sins  there,  no 
eating  and  drinking — (at  this  last  word  Mr.  Barebones  shud- 
dered, and  wiped  the  perspiration  from  his  brow) — no  singing, 
no  dancing,  no  wanton  dalliance — but  damned  sins,  bitter  sins, 
hellish  sins — sins  exasi:)erated  by  torments  :  cursing  God,  rage, 
and  blasphemy.  II.  — Thou  shalt  be  dehvered  up  into  the  hands 
of  thy  tormentors  ;  then  Satan  w^ill  pay  thee  thy  wages  for  thy 
service,  slavery  to  him,  and  thou  shalt  know  what  a  cruel  master 
thcu  hast  served.  What  cruelty  has  Satan  sometimes  exercised 
to  some  here  in  this  world  that  have  been  possessed  by  him,  and 
to  others  that  have  sold  themselves  to  him  !  What  amazing  sto- 
ries doth  the  world  afford  of  such  things  !  What  dost  thou  think 
he  wiU  do  when  he  hath  unlimited  commission  and  full  posses- 
sion ?  How  wilt  thou  endure  when  thou  shalt  have  a  thousand 
evils  rending  and  tearing  and  macerating  thee,  when  all  the  rage 
of  hell  shall  fall  on  thee  without  restraint?  III. — The  never- 
dying  worm  shall  gnaw  and  eat  out  all  the  heart  of  thy  comfort ; 
thou  shalt  become  thy  own  executioner  ;  thy  conscience  shall 
pursue  thee  in  Hell,  always  crying  out  against  thee,  and  bring- 
ing bitter  things  to  thy  mind,  making  thee  to  waing  thy  hands, 
and  howl  out  sad  lamentations." 

Here  there  was  an  interruption,  which  although 
it  lasted  only  a  minute,  we  will  describe  to  the 
reader.  Ever  since  the  pastor  had  begun  to  preach, 
Mrs.  Bull  had  been  gradually  falling  asleep,  until 
now  she  was  snoring  lustily,  and  Mr.  Japheth  who 
had  done  his  best  not  to  notice  the  scandal  by  turn- 
ing towards  her  his  blind  eye,  saw  that  he  could  no 
longer  refrain  from  performing  one  of  the  duties 


352  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

which  devolved  upon  him  as  tithing-mau.  Accord- 
ingly, with  a  deep  sigh,  he  levelled  at  the  dame  a 
sort  of  wand,  on  one  end  of  which  was  a  bunch  of 
feathers,  on  the  other  a  knob  of  lignumvitae,  then 
solemnly  approached  her.  Lydia  wondered  what 
on  earth  was  going  to  happen,  while  Dorothy  Phil- 
brick  did  her  best  not  to  laugh.  In  another  mo- 
ment the  feather  end  of  the  rod  was  tickling  the 
widow's  nose,  and  she  awoke  with  a  start ;  but 
quickly  recovering  her  self-possession,  she  gave  the 
tithing  man  such  an  upbraidhig  look  that  the  poor 
fellow  turned  on  his  heel  and  went  back  with  all 
the  speed  he  could  to  his  station  near  the  door, 
leaving  her  biting  her  lip  and  murmuring  many 
harsh  things  of  the  people  of  Hartford.  The  cler- 
gyman now  took  up  the  thread  of  his  discourse  at 
the  point  where  it  had  been  interrupted,  and  with 
his  gleaming  eyes  fastened  on  Mrs.  Bull : 

''Thou  canst  hardly  sit  under  one  of  these  lectures,"  he  cried, 
**  coining  from  the  mouth  of  a  poor  minister  ;  but  let  me  tell 
thee,  Conscience  and  Hell  will  read  it  after  another  manner  than 
can  now  be  conceived  ;  every  thought  will  be  a  sharp  dagger  at 
thy  heart,  that  will  let  all  joy  and  comfort  out  of  thy  soul ;  there 
is  no  sleeping  in  Hell.  Remember  how  universal  thy  torment 
there  shall  be.  Here,  usually,  our  pain  is  in  but  one  part  of  our 
body  ;  and  yet  what  a  misery  it  is  to  all  the  rest,  by  sympathy  ; 
but  there,  soul  and  body  will  be  filled  brimful ;  the  guilt  of  all 
thy  sins  shall  be  laid  upon  thy  soul,  and  be  so  many  heaps  of 
fuel  :  that  tender  and  delicate  body  shall  have  all  its  beauty  blot- 
ted and  pride  consumed  ;  the  flames  shall  have  no  respect  to  its 
comeliness ;  every  member's  pain  shall  be  intolerable  and  in- 
supportable misery  shall  spread  itself  through  the  whole  man : 


CHARTER   OAK.  ^,53 

there,  eyes,  ehrs,  hands,  feet,  heart  and  all  shall  be  tormented  in 
the  flame.  Consider  how  near  the  time  hastens  when  all  this 
comes  to  pr.ss  npou  thee.  Time  is  almost  gone  with  thee,  and 
thou  staudest  at  the  gate  of  eternity,  and  Death  is  waiting  upon 
thee  to  transport  thee  away  to  the  place  of  all  thy  miseries. 
Sliovtly  tLou  must  die,  and  it  will  be  but  a  moment  from  thence 
to  Hell.  "When  thou  hast  sinned  away  a  few  more  days,  watched 
and  slept  out  a  few  more  nights,  then  away  thou  goest  irrevoca- 
bly. It  may  be  thou  di^eamest  of  many  days  to  come,  but,  thou 
fool,  how  knowest  thou  but  thy  soul  may  be  called  for  this  very 
night  ?  aye,  the  day  of  judgment  is  not  far  off.  Sinner,  I  be- 
seech thee  realize  the  truth  of  these  things  ;  do  not  go  about  to 
dream,  that  my  words  are  but  a  vain  fable  to  scare  children,  nor 
believe  that  God  has  no  mercy,  because,  forsooth.  He  makes  thee 
miserable.  He  shall  have  monuments  enough  of  that  precious 
attribute,  shining  Hke  stars  in  the  place  of  glory,  and  singing 
eternal  hallelujahs  to  the  praise  of  Him  that  redeemed  them  ; 
though  to  exalt  the  power  of  His  justice,  He  damn  sinners  heaps 
upon  heaps."* 

Wlien  the  last  words  of  the  sermon  died  away, 

a    umrmnr   of   terror   rang  through   the   meetiug- 

house.     Prudence  and  Charity  hid   their  faces  in 

their  hands,  Dorothy  Philbrick  and  Tom  Hubbard 

lacked  the  courage  eA^en  to  glance  at  another,  while 

Jacob  Japheth's  usually  jovial  countenance  looked 

as  if  it  would  never  smile  again.     Of  them  all  Mrs. 

L'uU  was  the  onlj'  one  who  seemed  quite  at  her 

ease ;    but    she   was  most   provokingiy  calm,   and 

'vidi  lier  eyes  turned  first  on  her  left,  then  on  her 

right  shoulder,  she  smiled  and  began  arranging  her 

rosettes,    which  had  got  slightly  out  of  place  during 

her  nap.     Presently,  the  teacher  rose  to  offer  up  the 

*  For  above  sermon,  see  Bayhes'  Hist.  Plymouth,  Vol.  II.,  p. 
2U, 


354  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

finishing  prayer ;  and  as  lie  did  so  the  hearts  of  all 
the  little  boys  and  girls  throbbed  with  joy,  for  they 
knew  they  would  not  be  kepi  n^uch  longer  perched 
upon  their  stools.  The  good  man's  invocation  was 
concluded  in  about  three  minutes,  then  lifiing  his 
hands  above  his  head,  he  slowly  brought  them 
down  on  a  level  with  his  breast  and  gave  the  bless- 
ing, in  a  tone  so  solemn  and  fervent  that  it  went  to 
Lydia's  heart  as  no  other  part  of  the  service  had 
done.  At  the  end  of  the  prayer,  the  ruling  elder 
stood  up  and  said  : 

"Brethren,  now  is  the  time  for  contribution, 
wherefore,  as  God  hath  prospered  you,  so  freely 
offer."  At  tliese  words,  the  magistrates  first,  then 
Mr.  Barebones  himself,  advanced  towards  the 
deacons'  seat  and  placed  their  offering  in  the 
wooden  box  kept  there  for  that  purpose.  The  rest 
of  the  congregation  followed,  each  giving  what  he 
could  afford,  were  it  money  or  any  other  article  of 
value  ;  and  let  us  here  inform  the  reader,  that  the 
sum  thus  obtained  was  devoted  to  the  support  of 
the  pastor,  and  likewise  the  poor  and  needy  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation,  should  there  be  any. 
With  this,  the  service  closed,""  and  the  people 
slowly  made  their  way  out  upon  the  green,  where 
many  of  them  turned  to  watch  for  the  appearance 
of  Mrs.  Bull.  But  the  widow^  did  not  mind  their 
*  For  Ghurcli  service — See  Pilgrims,  by  Cheever. 


chahter  oak.  355 

stare  in  the  least,  and  returned  tliem  sucli  a  defiant 
look  that  Israel  Barebones  offered  a  prayer  in  her 
behalf.  "  Beelzebub  hath  her  in  his  clutches;"  he 
murmured,  "  Lord,  Lord,  deliver  her  !"  Lydia  had 
just  reached  the  stoop  of  the  meeting-house,  and  to 
show  how  little  she  sympathised  with  the  manners 
and  customs  of  the  Puritans,  was  about  to  ac- 
com]3any  the  widow  a  short  distance,  when  she 
caught  sight  of  Nancy  Clark  beckoning  from  across 
the  road.  At  once,  in  spite  of  Miss  Crabtree's 
frown — the  dame  had  intended  to  escort  her  home 
in  the  same  manner  she  had  brought  her  to 
church — Lydia  slipped  away,  and  in  another  mo- 
ment she  and  Nancy  were  sauntering  off  together, 
arm  in  arm.  But  instead  of  keeping  along  Main 
street,  they  passed  through  the  graveyard  to  the 
rear  of  the  meeting-house,  then  turning  to  the 
right,  proceeded  along  what  wms  called  Meeting- 
house alle}^ 

don't  want  to  be  from  home  longer  than 
necessary,"  said  her  frienl,  "but  this  lane  wdll. 
take  us  to  the  road  skirting  Little  river,  and  so 
'twill  not  be  much  further  than  the  way  I  came." 

"  Why  in  any  haste  ?"  inquired  the  regicide's 
daughter.  "  Let  us  rather  stroll  down  to  the  south 
meadow,  which  is  now  bare  of  snow,  and  from  there 
we  can  continue  on  until  we  reach  Dutch  Point ; 
'twill  be  time  enough  then  to  ascend   the  stream 


356  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

towards  the  bridge,  and  I  will  thus  be  favored  with 
your  company  for  a  good  hour  at  least." 

"Nothing  would  please  me  more,"  rejoined  the 
other,  "than  to  be  all  the  time  with  you,  for 
although  we  do  not  view  every  thing  in  the  same 
light,  yet  I'm  sure  we'll  always  be  friends."  Here 
Nancy  turned  toward  Lydia  with  a  sweet,  though 
rather  pensive  smile. 

"  Then,  why  hurry  home  ?  Have  you  visitors  ? 
Is  that  stranger,  whom  you  brought  to  the  husking, 
and  against  whom  you  w^arned  me,  still  with  you." 

"  No,  he  has  gone,'  replied  Nancy ;  then  after 
a  pause,  during  which  a  troubled  look  rested  0:1 
her  face,  "  do  you  know  who  he  is?" 

"I  do,"  rej)lied  Lydia  ;  "he  is  in  the  service  of 
the  King,  and  yet — would  you  believe  it  ? — he 
warned  me  against  one  of  the  King's  partisans." 

"  My  father  ?"  said  Nancy,  coloring. 

"  No,  yourself." 

"  Oh,  he  is  ignorant  of  my  real  sentiments,  none 
love  Connecticut  more  than  I;  yet  I  am  weak, 
very  weak.  Yes,  Henry  Synnot  must  despise  me 
for  taking  him  to  Wadsworth's  in  disguise.  Bur  oh, 
Wadsworth,  Wadsworth,  what  would  you  think  of 
me,  if  you  knew  it?"  Here  the  young  woman 
buried  her  face  in  her  hands. 

"  But  I  never  doubted  3^ou  for  a  moment,"  ex- 
claimed   L^^dia,    throwing    her    arms    around   her 


CHARTER   OAK.  3^7 

friend's  neck  ;  "  no,  not  for  a  moment.  You  have  a 
difficult  part  to  play,  and  it  is  often  a  hard  matter  to 
perform  one's  duty.  Go  not  too  far,  liowever,  ^o 
not  too  far,  remember  your  country." 

"  But  Wads  worth,"  continued  Nancy  in  a  tremb- 
ling voice,  "  what  would  he  say,  if  he  discovered 
that  I  had  brought  to  the  husking  an  officer  on 
Andros'  staff?  Wads  worth — whose  esteem  I'd 
rather  die  a  thousand  deaths  than  lose  ?" 

"  Well,  it  is  something  worth  having,"  rejoined 
Lydia,  "  indeed  it  is ;  and  let  me  say  that  he  thinks 
all  the  world  of  you.  He  does  not  include  the 
daughter  in  his  hatred  of  the  parent."  At  these 
words  Nancy's  breast  heaved,  and  she  turned  her 
eyes  toward  the  heavens.  *'  But  to  come  back  to 
Henry  Synnot,"  said  Lydia,  after  a  pause,  "  how 
soon  may  he  be  expected  from  Boston  ?" 

"  I  cannot  tell,"  replied  the  other  ;  "  but  when  ho 
does  arrive,  shall  I  let  you  know  ?" 

"Yes" — and  as  the  regicide's  daughter  spoke, 
she  blushed.  While  the  blood  was  crimsoning  her 
cheek,  an  expression  of  joy  brightened  the  coun- 
tenance of  her  companion  ;  aye,  it  Avas  clear  to 
Nancy  that  Lydia  had  fallen  in  love  with  the  officer, 
and  the  young  woman's  dread  lest  Wadsworth 
might  break  his  vow  by  marrying  his  guest, 
was  suddenly  dissipated.  "  And  who  knows," 
&-he   thought,    "but   great   good   may   come    fi'om 


358  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

her  attachment  to  Synnot ;  yes,  it  may  help  New 
England." 

Lydia  now  went  on  to  relate,  how  several  times 
during  the  past  week  she  had  endeavored  to  meet 
her,  how  twice  she  had  gone  as  far  as  her  home, 
but  had  always  been  repelled  by  the  sight  of  Mr. 
Clark — "who,"  she  added,  "  appeared  to  be  stand- 
ing there  as  if  on  the  watch  for  somebody  ;  oh, 
how  cross  he  looked."  As  she  said  this,  Nancy 
heaved  a  sigh,  while  her  countenance,  a  moment 
before  so  joyous,  again  became  downcast. 

"  Pray,  why  do  you  grieve  ?"  pursued  Lydia. 

"  Oh,  it's  nothing,"  replied  the  other,  shaking  her 
head  ;  and  although  Lydia  repeated  the  question, 
and  urged  the  young  woman  to  tell  what  troubled 
her,  she  refused  to  reveal  anything  in  regard  to  the 
treatment  which  she  had  received  from  her  father, 
and  all  because  she  had  come  back  alone  from  the 
husking,  instead  of  having  remained  until  Captain 
Synnot  might  have  been  ready  to  accompany  her. 
No,  nothing  Nancy  ever  would  say,  should  let 
others  into  the  secrets  of  her  home  life ;  if  it  was 
not  a  happy  one,  she  could  bear  it  without  a  mur- 
mur. 

They  had  by  this  time  reached  the  edge  of  the 
South  meadow,  and  Lydia,  who  had  not  been  there 
before,  turned  to  see  how  the  town  looked  from 
that  point.     As   she  did   so,    she    perceived    Mad 


CHARTER   OAK.  359 

Adams  some  fifty  paces  away,  and  at  once  the  sus- 
picion flashed  upon  her  that  he  had  been  following 
them.  "  Nancy,  Nanc}^"  she  exclaimed,  "  I  do  be- 
lieve the  tavern-keeper  has  been  dogging  our  steps 
—look  at  him !" 

"  It  may  be  so,"  replied  the  other  turning  round, 
"  for  alas,  you  are  aware,  that  the  Captain  of  the 
train-band  and  my  father  are  enemies,  and  Wads- 
worth's  faithful  scout  is  perhaps  suspicious  of  me, 
and  thinks  I  may  do  you  some  harm.  I  once  heard 
Miss  Crabtree  tell  him  that  I  was  unlucky  and 
brought  evil  to  others." 

"  And  so  my  host  has  sent  him  as  a  spy  on  our 
movements?"  exclaimed  Lydia,  angrily.  "I've  a 
good  mind  to  run  up  to  where  he  is  and  give  him  a 
message  for  his  master." 

"  No,  pray  don't ;  stay  and  let  us  continue  our 
walk,"  urged  Nancy,  grasping  her  by  the  arm,  for 
she  feared  Lydia  might  really  execute  her  threat. 
"  I  can't  believe  the  Captain  has  sent  him  after  us, 
it  wouldn't  be  at  all  like  Wadsworth.  No,  I  can't 
believe  it,  'tis  Adams'  own  idea." 

"  Well,  was  Mr.  Wadsworth  at  meeting  ?"  con- 
tinued Lydia,  "  I  did  not  see  him." 

"  Yes,  he  was  ;  but  he  arrived  late  and  when  the 
prayer  was  half  through  ;  Adams  accompanied  him, 
a  thing  which  pleased  me  exceedingly,  for  the  latter 
is  not  much  given  to  attending  worship." 


360  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"  Well,  then,  if  tliey  arrived  in  church  together, 
you  can't  j^ersuade  me  that  Mr.  Wads  worth  has 
not  seut  his  scout  to  play  the  spy.  Much  good  will 
it  do  him  ;  I  would  not  have  thought  him  capable 
of  such  a  thing." 

"  But  were  your  surmise  correct,  dear  Lydia, 
what  must  you  in  your  heart  think  of  me  ?  Did  I 
not  introduce  under  his  roof  a  British  officer  in 
disguise?  and  the  wig  adjusted  by  my  own  hands  ! 
Oh !  if  father  were  to  bid  me  perform  that  duty 
again,  I  might  not  obey ;  no,  no,  I  would  not." 

Lydia  made  no  answer  to  this  remark — how  could 
she  reprove  her  friend  for  an  act  which  had  afford- 
ed her  such  an  agreeable  evening  with  Henry  Syn- 
not — then,  after  walking  a  few  steps  further,  she 
again  turned  to  see  if  Adams  were  still  watching 
them.  But  the  tavern-keeper  was  walking  off  in 
another  direction,  and  at  a  brisk  pace,  as  if  he  had 
seen  enough,  and  were  hastening  to  make  his  re- 
port. 

The  two  friends  now  continued  their  promenade 
as  far  as  Dutch  Point,  where  they  stood  for  a  few 
minutes  gazing  across  the  ice-bound  Connecticut, 
then  taking  the  lane  which  followed  the  bank  of 
Little  river,  they  sauntered  homeward,  each  finding 
a  sweet  pleasure  in  the  other's  company.  Nancy 
especially  rejoiced  in  having  at  length  disco\'ered 
one  v/ho  could   understand  her  quiet,  retired  ways, 


CHARTER  OAK.  361 

and  not  make  gossip  about  lier,  and  who  dared  to 
keep  her  company  despite  the  ill-will  of  Charitv 
Crabtree.  The  friends  parted  at  the  bridge  on 
Main  street,  and  Nancy,  as  she  clasped  Lydia's 
Land,  begged  the  latter  to  visit  her  again. 

"  I  feel  like  a  different  being,  when  you  are  with 
me,"  she  said.  "  Y)o  eonje  often,  3'ou  mustn't  mind 
fathei'.  And  when  spring  opens  we'll  take  long 
walks  togethe]-,  and  perhaps,"  here  she  smiled, 
"perhaps  sumeljody  may  again  save  you  from  the 
wolves." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

After  she  had  jmrted  from  her  friend,  Lydia 
went  back  towards  the  north  end  of  the  tow^n,  not 
with  her  usual  elastic  step,  but  slowly  and  as  if  she 
wanted  to  be  as  long  going  over  the  distance  as 
possible. 

As  it  was  almost  noon,  and  consequently  the 
hour  for  dinner,  there  were  very  few  people  in  the 
street  and  a  silence  as  of  the  grave  seemed  to  have 
fallen  upon  the  settlement ;  not  the  bark  of  a  dog 
was  heard,  while  a  flock  of  geese,  which  had  stretch- 
ed themselves  across  the  road,  did  not  stir  as  the 
girl  approached,  but  kept  their  heads  under  their 
wings  as  if  they  knew  it  was  a  day  of  perfect  rest. 


ROMANCE   OP   THE 

The  windows  of  the  Bunch  of  Grapes  were  closed 
of  course — not  a  soul  was  lounging  on  the  porch, 
while  from  its  great  chimney  not  the  faintest 
wreath  of  smoke  was  curling. 

When  she  arrived  at  Mr.  Wadsworth's,  Ljdia 
found  the  family  ready  to  take  their  places  at  the 
table.  Mad  Adams  was  there,  dressed  in  a  new 
suit;  while  her  father,  who  until  now,  by  the  advice 
of  his  host,  had  taken  his  meals  in  the  library,  was 
standing  beside  Miss  Crabtree — all  were  evidently 
waiting  for  her  to  make  her  appearance  before  be- 
ginning the  meal.  They  knew  well  enough  where 
and  with  whom  she  had  been — the  aunt,  who  had 
despatched  Simon  after  her,  having  received  his  re- 
port and  duly  informed  the  household  of  it— and 
we  need  scarcely  add,  that  the  dame  had  seized 
this  opportunity  to  lecture  her  Joe  on  the  folly  of 
having  invited  Nancy  Clark  to  the  husking,  and 
thus  increased  the  intimacy  between  the  latter 
and  his  artless  guest.  And  as  Wadsworth  had 
heard  her  speaking  in  such  a  way  of  poor  Nancy, 
he  had  been  strongly  tempted  to  reveal  the  secret 
of  his  vow,  and  tell  his  aunt  that  it  was  not,  as  she 
believed,  through  that  young  woman's  influence 
that  he  had  remained,  a  bachelor  ;  yes,  he  had 
been  strongely  tempted  to  make  this  revelation 
when  the  truant,  at  that  very  moment,  entered  and 
broke  short  the  good  woman's  lecture.     The  meal 


CHARTER   OAK.  363 

to  which  Lydia  sat  down  was  not  as  pleasant  as 
usual— the  regicide  felt  depressed  by  the  revela- 
tion which  his  daughter  had  made  to  him  before 
going  to  meeting,  while  Wadsworth  did  not  dare 
trust  himself  in  conversation  with  one,  whom  to 
sit  opposite  was  trial  enough;  and  more  than 
once  he  mentally  prayed  for  strength  to  resist  the 
passion  he  felt  for  her.  As  for  Miss  Crabtree  and 
Adams,  they  exchanged  significant  glances,  but  did 
not  open  their  lips,  and  only  Prudence  ventured  a 
whisper,  and  then  it  was  merely  to  say — 

"  You  better  not  have  spoken  to  her  father  about 
your  Joe  ;  the   girl  can't  be  forced  into  anything 
and  it's  going  wrong,  all  wrong,  I'm  sure  it  is." 
Whereat  Charity  frowned  and  murmured  to  herself 
— "  it's  Nancy  Clark's  work." 

Lydia  was  not  slow  in  remarking  the  cloud 
which  had  settled  upon  them  all,  and  realized  more 
and  more  the  difficulty  of  her  position ;  yet  how 
was  she  to  extricate  herself  ?  She  did  not  want  to 
marry  her  host,  yet  if  she  refused  him,  her  parent 
and  she  would  have  to  go  back  to  the  log  cabin ; 
for,  to  remain  longer  Wadsworth's  guest  under  such 
circumstances,  would  be  impossible.  Then  she 
thought  of  Henry  Synuot — would  he  ever  find  her 
in  the  wilderness  ?  and  if  he  did,  much  as  he  pro- 
fessed to  love  her,  and  although  she  felt  for  him  an 
attachment  stronger  than  for  any  other  being  ex- 


364  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

cept  her  father,  what  changes  must  come  about 
before  thej'  could  be  united !  While  he  served 
King  James  never  would  Ljdia  Goffe  give  him  her 
hand.  No,  never !  yet  while  she  thought  of  Sjnnot, 
a  ray  of  light  seemed  to  penetrate  the  gloom  which 
was  gathering  in  her  path  she  remembered  a  few 
words  Avliich  he  had  once  let  drop. 

"  No,  no,"  she  murmurred,  "  his  heart  is  not  in 
the  work.  He  may  not  be  a  republican  but  he  does 
not  approve  of  what  the  King  is  doing  to  these 
poor  colonies." 

And  thus  passed  this  silent  noon-day  meal. 
Then  three  o'clock  came,  and  the  church  bells  rang 
again  for  service,  and  as  Miss  Crabtree  heard  them 
she  beckoned  to  her  nephew,  and  for  a  few  minutes 
seemed  to  be  impressing  something  upon  him  with 
the  greatest  earnestness. 

"  If  the  spirit  moves  her,  aunt,  she'll  go,"  replied 
Wadsworth,  "  but  do  not  ask  me  to  accompany 
her ;  I  cannot,  I  am  weak,  I  dare  not  trust  myself 
by  her  side." 

At  this  the  old  maid  gazed  at  him  in  astonish- 
ment. "  Wliat  do  you  mean,  Joe,  what  do  you 
mean?"  she  whispered. 

"  One  of  these  days  3^ou  will  learn  the  trutii,  one 
of  these  days,  one  of  these  days,"  he  replied  ;  then 
turning  away  he  left  the  good  woman  to  puzzle 
over  his  mysterious  answer. 


CHARTER  OAK.  3G5 

Ljdia  now  got  up,  and  after  speaking  a  few 
words  to  Prudence  Garlic,  Avent  up  stairs,  leaving 
the  faithful  woman  shaking  her  head  and  beckon- 
ing to  Charity  Crab  tree. 

"  Never  mind,"  exclaimed  the  latter  as  she  put 
on  her  hood,  "  never  mind ;  we  at  least  must  not 
be  lukewarm.  Lord  have  mercy  on  her!"  In 
another  moment  the  good  wives  were  walking  along 
Main  street,  and  talking  as  they  went,  about 
Lydia. 

"Depend  upon  it,"  sail  the  aunt,  "Nancy  Clark 
has  been  setting  her  against  my  Joe,  as  well  as 
against  our  Puritan  faith ;  ah,  wicked  young  wo- 
man !" 

"Eeally,"  said  Prudence,  "  the  dear  child's  con- 
duct is  beginning  to  worry  me ;  I'm  sorry  the  first 
sermon  she  heard  did  not  please  her ;  but  for 
that—" 

"  Tut,  tut,"  interrupted  the  other,  "  exactly  what 
she  ought  to  hear  every  day  of  her  life,  I'd  like  to 
mix  brimstone  in  her  Svittles'  ;  she  needs  stirring 
up ;  she  thinks  too  little  of  hell  and  eternity." 

Behind  them,  and  at  a  short  distance,  Wadsworth 
followed  with  Mad  Adams,  the  latter  for  the  first 
time  in  many  years  carrying  a  cop}^  of  the  Bay 
Psalm-Book — a  sight  which  greatly  edified  the 
honest  folk  they  passed  on  the  road,  who  saw  in 
the    conversion  of    the  tav^rn-keept'i    a   favorablf* 


366  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

onien  for  the  peace  and  spiritual  condition  of  the 
settlement.  Twice  or  thrice,  as  the  publican  re- 
turned their  friendly  nod,  his  eyes  twinkled,  while 
a  smile  played  in  the  corners  of  his  mouth  ;  yet  so 
well  did  he  act  his  part,  that  everybody  was  de- 
ceived— yes,  everybody. 

"  To  succeed  in  earning  an  honest  penny  among 
these  folks,"  he  said  to  himself,  "  one  must  chime 
in  with  all  their  ways,  irksome  as  these  may  be, 
and  appear  as  godly  as  the  godliest ;  it  costs  no- 
thing to  humbug  them.  The  law  forbids  selling 
liquor  on  the  Sabbath,  so  I  may  just  as  well  pass 
the  time  at  the  meeting-house  as  whittling  sticks  in 
an  empty  bar-room.  For  my  long  face  to-day  they'll 
patronize  me  to-morrow,  so  once  a  week  I'll  go  in 
for  hallelujahs." 

While  he  was  thus  soliloquizing,  he  heard  a 
voice,  pitched  in  a  less  mournful  key  than  usual, 
exclaim,  "  Good  afternoon,  Mr.  Adams  !"  the  word 
Mr.  being  pronounced  with  marked  emphasis.  To 
hear  himself  thus  addressed,  electrified  Adams, 
for  it  was  five  long  years  since  he  had  been  depriv- 
ed of  that  title,  and  rushing  up  to  Israel  Barebones 
he  gave  his  hand  such  a  squeeze  that  the  good  man 
was  glad  when  he  loosened  his  grasp.  Wadswortli, 
too,  felt  gratified  that  one  occupying  the  ruling 
elder's  position  in  the  community  should  be  thus 
quick   to   recognize  the    reform  which  had    como 


CHAKTEll   OAK.  367 

over  the  tavern-keeper,  and  be  willing  once  more  to 
dignify  him  with  the  title  of  '  Mr.'  Moreover,  it 
had  been  through  the  Captain's  influence  that 
Simon  had  obtained  a  license  to  keep  the  Ordinary, 
and  the  chief  of  the  train-band,  consequently,  held 
himself  more  or  less  responsible  for  his  friend's 
good  behavior,  and  was  thus  doubly  gratified  at  his 
conversion. 

We  shall  not  here  enter  into  the  details  of  a  cer- 
tain event  which  had  happened  before  the  opening 
of  our  story,  and  wdiich  had  resulted  in  the  Court 
of  Assistants  forbidding  Adams  to  be  any  longer 
called  *  Mr.'  We  will  merely  inform  the  reader 
that  this  punishment  had  been  connected  with  a 
certain  town-meeting  held  in  Hartford,  at  which 
Simon  had  imbibed  too  freely  of  liquor,  and  broken 
the  peace  by  knocking  down  the  moderator  and 
driving  many  of  the  people  to  their  homes.  But 
although,  as  we  have  remarked,  Wadsworth  was 
gratified  by  the  ruling  elder's  salutation,  he  did  not 
open  his  lips ;  in  fact  he  seemed  to  notice  nobody, 
and  walked  along,  as  it  were,  mechanically,  and 
but  for  his  companion  pulling  him  by  the  arm,  he 
might  perhaps  have  kept  on  his  way  and  gone  to 
the  wrong  meeting-house. 

"  I  know  what  troubles  you  !"  whispered  Adams, 
as  they  reached  the  green—"  well, it's  been  bother- 
ing me  too.     My  heart  was  set  on   her  becoming 


368  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

jour  wife  ;  and  now  to  see  her  cold,  unfriendl^^ 
manner,  is  a  dreadful  disappointment." 

"  In  all  tilings  behold  the  hand  of  God  !"  mur- 
mured Wadsworth,  "  Depend  upon  it,  my  friend, 
everything  happens  for  the  best,  and  yet — "  here 
he  drew  a  long  breath  and  ground  his  teeth — he 
was  thinking  of  the  stranger  whom  Lydia  had 
flirted  with  at  the  husking. 

"  And  yet,"  whispered  the  tavern-keeper,  taking 
up  the  Captain's  unfinished  sentence,  "  'tis  a  hard 
fate  to  lose  such  a  flower  as  Lydia  005*6.  Oh  !  if 
I  were  not  the  vagabond  I  am — if  I  had  your  op- 
portunities—if I  dared  aspire  to  her  hand  and  she 
refused  me — I'd — I'd — drown  myself." 

"  Hush,  do  not  talk  thus  at  the  entrance  of  the 
house  of  Ood,"  rejoined  Wadsworth.  "  Rather  see 
in  all  this  the  hand  of  the  Almighty.  For  years  I 
have  fasted  and  prayed,  and  bent  all  my  energies  to 
one  glorious  end  ;  'tis  well  the  girl  does  not  take 
to  me,  let  it  serve  as  a  warning  ;  I  will  henceforth 
fast  and  pray  harder  than  ever,  and  nothing,  no- 
thing shall  tempt  me  again  from  the  path  I  have 
marked  out." 

Adams  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  presently  they 
entered  the  church  together,  but  neither  of  them 
was  in  a  state  of  mind  favorable  to  devotion  ;  the 
tavern-keeper,  instead  of  joining  in  the  psalm, 
could  only  grumble  about  Wadsworth,  while   the 


cHAii'jEii  OAK.  r,r>9 

latter,  who  was  trembling  at  his  own  vacillation, 
did  not  sing  either. 

"  Oh  !  Lord,"  he  murmurred,  striking  his  breast, 
"  pity  me — I  am  weak — grant  me  strength  to  keep 
the  covenant  I  made  with  Thee,  and  so  may  est 
Thou  give  freedom  to  my  native  land." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

•  While  Wadsworth,  his  aunt,  Mad  Adams,  Goody 
Garlic  and  the  servant-maid  were  absent  at  meet- 
ing, the  regicide  and  his  daughter  had  the  house 
all  to  themselves.  As  soon  as  Lydia  heard  them 
depart  she  came  down  from  her  bed-room,  fully 
expecting  that  the  old  gentleman  would  again 
broacli  the  subject  of  her  marriage  with  their  host, 
and  unpleasant  as  this  would  be,  she  preferred  to 
have  the  matter  decided  at  once,  rather  than  post- 
poned ;  and  if  in  consequence  of  her  refusal  to 
take  Wadsworth  for  her  husband,  her  father  should 
resolve  to  go  back  to  the  wilderness  — "  then,"  she 
thought,  "the  sooner  we  leave  the  better;  yet 
'twill  be  a  heart-breaking  thing — my  old  home  will 
not  be  what  it  used  to  be." 

The  change  which  had  come  over  her  since  leav- 
ing the  cabin,  filled  her  indeed  with  wonder.  She 
could  not  understand  herself  ;  she  loved  her  parent 


370  ROMANCE    OF   l^HE 

as  clearly  as  ever,  and  yet  since  the  memorable  in- 
cident in  the  forest,  but  especially  since  the  happy 
hours  passed  with  Henry  Synnot  at  the  husking, 
the  girl  had  felt  that  she  was  a  different  being. 
Twice  in  her  sleep  she  had  dreamed  of  the  one 
who  had  saved  her  life,  and  during  her  waking 
hours  he  was  constantly  before  her  ;  indeed  it  was 
impossible  to  drive  his  image  aw^ay — alone  in  her 
bedroom,  or  in  the  large  apartment  where  all  the 
family  were  in  the  habit  of  assembling,  she  saw 
only  Henry  Synnot.  On  arriving  below,  Lydia 
found  her  father  seated  by  the  window,  examining 
Wadsworth's  msLp,  but  as  soon  as  she  approached 
he  looked  up  and  the  expresion  of  his  face  touched 
her  deeply — she  fancied  she  could  see  new  wrinkles 
upon  it. 

"  How  interesting  this  is,  Lydia,"  he  said,  tap- 
ping his  fingers  on  the  map  ;  "  I  wish  we  had  had 
one  like  it  when  w^e  used  to  hold  our  discussions 
about  America." 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  girl,  "  'tis  w^orth  coming  to 
Hartford  just  to  study  it." 

"  You  nnd  WadsAvorth  hold  the  same  opinions  in 
regard  to  the  colonies,"  pursued  the  regicide,  after 
a  pause  ;  "  3^our  faith  in  their  destiny  is  the  same, 
and  yet — "  here  he  let  the  map  fall  on  the  floor, 
then  clasped  his  hands — "  is  not  life  a  mystery  ? 
'Tis  folly  to  try  and  shape  our  (nvn  course  ;  an  in- 


.     CHARTER    OAK.  371 

viisible    power  marks    it    out  for  us.     Who  would 
have  believed  it?" 

" Believed  what,  father?"  said  Lydia,  the  color 
mounting  to  her  cheek. 

"  A  British  officer,"  he  murmured,  "  and  on  the 
staff  of  Andros  !  Wejl,  if  he  were  such  as  I  have 
known  in  aiy  day  ;  if  he  were  like  some  of  Crom- 
well's warriors,  I  might  comprehend  it.  But  serv- 
ing James  the  Second,  Lord  !  who  would  have 
believed  it  ?" 

"  I  would  not  have  believed  it  myself  a  fortnight 
ago,"  answered  Lydia  ;  "  but  do  not  blame  me,  I 
am  not  my  own  creator,  I  was  born  what  I  am  ; 
God  knows  I  have  tried  to  do  my  duty  by  you. 
When  I  lived  in  the  forest  I  was  ignorant  of  what 
my  soul  could  feel ;  I  did  not  dream  I  could  love 
anyone  but  you  and  my  dear  old  nurse."  As  she 
spoke  her  bosom  heaved,  but  her  voice  retained  its 
firmness. 

"  Well,  child,  what  am  I  to  do  ?  and  what  are 
you  to  do?  After  the  turn  affairs  have  taken, 
ought  we  to  accept  Mr.  Wadsworth's  invitation  to 
make  this  our  home  ?" 

For  about  a  minute  Lydia  was  silent,  then  in  a 
quiet  tone —"  wait,"  she  murmured,  "wait  till  the 
Captain  proposes  ;  'twill  be  time  enough  then  to 
decide  on  our  course  ;  as  yet  he  has  but  asked  your 
permission  to  court  me  as  the  law  requires." 


372  ROMANCE   OF    TBE. 

"  Yon  are  mistaken,  cliilcl,  onlj-  liis  aunt  has 
spoken  to  me  on  the  subject — that  good,  lovmg 
creature  ;  she  knows  your  real  worth." 

"  How !  has  Miss  Crabtree  dared  take  such  a 
liberty  ?"  exclaimed  Lydia,  her  eyes  flashing  ;  "  I 
never  could  bear  the  woman,  now  I  hate  her  ;  and 
— and — I'll  tell  her  nephew  what  she's  done." 

"  Pray  do  not,  my  child,  do  not.  She  meant  it 
for  the  best,"  said  the  Colonel,  drawing  the  girl 
towards  him.  "  Oh,  you  should  have  heard  how  she 
praised  you.  No,  do  not  speak  a  word  about  it 
to  Mr.  Wadsworth." 

"  As  you  wish,"  replied  Lydia,  making  a  great 
effort  to  calm  herself,  then,  after  another  pause  : 
"  But  if  the  Captain  should  offer  himself,  that  need 
not  oblige  us  to  leave  the  settlement ;  there  are 
other  roofs  in  Hartford  where  we  may  find  shelter, 
and  where  you  will  be  equally  free  from  discovery. 
Yes,  father,  the  widow  Bull,  if  the  worst  comes 
to  the  worst,  will  again  open  her  door  to  you,  and 
I  am  confident  that  Henry  Synnot  will  give  me 
warning,  should  there  be  any  danger  from  Andros' 
spies." 

"  Amen,"  replied  the  old  gentleman ;  "  I  place 
myself,  Lydia,  entirely  in  your  hands — 'tis  only  for 
you  I  am  concerned." 

"  Yes,  trust  me,  father,  and  all  will   come  out 


CHARTER   OAK.  373 

right.  Already  I  see  my  way  clearer  than  I  did  a 
short  half  hour  ago." 

With  her  mind  thus  made  up,  th(^  <:  irl  dr(!W  a 
chair  close  to  her  father,  and  sitting  down  began 
reading  Ann  Bradstreet's  poems  ;  and  she  was  thus 
occupied  when  the  family  returned  from  meeting. 

"  'Tis  not  the  Assembh'  Catechism  she's  stud}  - 
ing,"  whispered  Miss  Crabtreo  to  Prudence  ;  "  oh, 
fie,  fie  !" — then  turning  towards  her  nephew,  she 
eyed  him  with  a  loving  glance,  while  at  the  same 
time  her  heart  throbbed,  for  she  hoped  he  might 
stoD  and  converse  with  the  mvl.     But  without  even 

J.  o 

lifting  his  eyes  from  the  ground,  Wadsworth  passed 
into  the  study,  leaving  his  aunt  to  shake  her  head 
and  moan.  The  rest  of  the  day  jogged  aloug  as 
quietlj'  as  the  forenoon  ;  in  the  house  as  well  as  out 
of  doors,  scarcely  a  sound  was  to  be  heard,  not  even 
the  cricket  chirped.  At  length,  however,  the  sun 
touched  the  iK^rizon,  and  Lydia  in  another  mo- 
ment heard  a  whistle,  then  a  shout,  and  hastening 
to  the  west  T\'indowsaw  Tom  Bubbard  and  a  crowd 
of  other  lads  standing  perfect!}^  still,  watching  the 
iiiight  orb  as  it  disappeared — but  looking  as  if  they 
were  all  ready  to  kick  up  their  heels. 

"It's  down,"  cried  Tom,  "it's  down;  hurrah, 
hurrah!"  Then  flourishing  his  stick,  he  gave 
chase  to  a  flock  of  geese,  and  immediately  tiie 
birds,  which  seemed  as  full  of  fun  as  himself,  hissed 


374  KOMANCE   OF  THE 

and  flapped  tlieir  wings,  and  went  skimming  along 
the  ground,  closely  pursued  by  a  cur,  wliicli  yelped 
all  the  harder  for  having  held  its  tongue  so  well 
since  the  beginning  of  the  Sabbath — but  now  the 
sun  \Yxs  down,  and  the  dog  barked  as  if  it  were 
mad.  Miss  Crabtree,  who  knew  what  all  the  hub- 
bub meant,  at  once  pinched  the  servant  girl's  arm, 
and  sent  her  into  the  shed  for  some  light  wood  ; 
the  fire  was  soon  kindled,  and  before  many  minutes 
a  good,  warm  meal  was  spread  out  upon  the  quaint 
table,  which  was  still  Lydia's  admiration  and  won- 
der, and  which,  when  in  its  chair  form,  she  pre- 
ferred to  any  other  seat  in  the  room. 

During  the  repast.  Miss  Charity  and  Prudence 
conversed  in  undertones,  but  Wadsworth  did  not 
once  open  his  lips,  and  when  he  left  the  table  it 
was  only  to  withdraw  again  to  the  library. 

"  A  bad  beginning  is  a  mountain  to  get  over," 
sighed  his  aunt,  turning  to  Goody  Garlic.  "  Yon 
should  never  have  let  that  stranger  kiss  Miss 
Lydia's  hand.  Then,  again,  Nancy  Clark  has  made 
things  worse.  Oh  !  Prudence,  Prudence,  why  did 
you  let  your  charge  get  out  of  3'Our  sight  ?  How 
will  it  all  end?" 

"  Well,  I  don't  think  you've  bettered  matters  by 
getting  her  father  to  speak  to  her  about  matri- 
mony," rejoined  the  other.  "  She  certainly  isn't  as 
bright  and  cheerful  as  she  was  a  day  or  two  ago." 


CHARTER   OAK.  375 

"  And  my  Joe  is  relapsing  into  his  former  mood," 
pursued  Miss  Crabtree,  giving  her  top-knot  a 
vicious  jerk,  and  scowling  at  Lydia. 

During  these  whisperings  the  tavern-keeper  en- 
tered, and  after  glancing  round  the  room,  in  search 
of  Wadsworth,  the  honest  fellow  seated  himself  in 
the  chimney,  and  there,  between  the  puffs  of  smoke 
which  he  sent  up  from  his  pipe,  he  began  talking 
to  himself.  "  This  da}^"  said  he,  "  has  been  in- 
teresting and  important  in  more  ways  than  one. 
First,  Captain  Joe's  chances  of  getting  Miss  Lydia 
for  a  wife  have  pretty  nigh  vanished — and  that's 
bad,  oh!  dreadful  bad;  but  then  the  events  of 
this  world  are  Kke  the  drinks  I  mix  for  my  custo- 
mers— there  is  always  some  sweet  mixed  with  the 
bitter.  I'm  rising  into  favor  ;  yes,  the  town  folks 
are  beginning  to  call  me  '  Mister,'  again — so  much 
for  behavin'  well — closin'  the  tavern  when  the 
nine  o'clock  bell  rings,  and  singin'  Psalms  once 
a  week — humph  !  that  don't  cost  much." 

Presently,  the  expression  of  his  face  changed, 
and  he  looked  very  grave.  "  Yet  after  all,"  he 
went  on,  "  I'd  rather  have  remained  plain  Mad 
Adams  to  the  end  of  my  days,  if  my  hopes  could 
have  been  realized  and  Lydia  Goffe  taken  Joseph 
Wadsworth  for  her  husband.  Yes,  I  really  would ; 
but  she  don't  like  him,  and  now  he  is  sliding 
back  into  his   old   wa}  s.      How    strange !"     This 


376  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

last  exclamation  passed  the  honest  fellow's  lips 
many  times  during  this  winter  evening,  the  mast 
cheerless  of  any  during  the  last  fortnight. 

The  wind,  which  since  sunset  had  risen  to  a  gale, 
was  now  shrieking  round  the  house,  battering  at 
the  windows,  and  moaning  down  the  chimney  like 
tlie  voice  of  a  lost  soul.  It  was  just  such  weather 
as  witches  were  supposed  to  choose  for  their 
mysterious  journeys  through  the  air,  and  it  would 
have  required  a  great  deal  of  persuasion  to 
have  induced  Adams  to  go  up  alone  into  the 
garret  on  such  a  night,  while,  had  he  known  how 
Lydia  had  found  the  Captain's  map  among  the 
old  rubbish  which  was  stored  there,  we  are  quite 
sure  he  would  not  have  mounted  even  as  high  as 
the  second  story.  At  length,  tapping  the  mouth  of 
his  pipe  on  the  end  of  the  back-log,  he  rose,  and 
having  bidden  the  family  good-night,  walked  out. 
Not  long  after  he  had  taken  his  departure.  Goody 
GarHc  retired  to  her  bed- room,  followed  by  the  reg- 
icide and  his  daughter,  the  old  gentleman  leaning 
on  the  girl's  arm  as  he  mounted  the  stair-case. 
Miss  Crabtree  then  pinched  the  servant  maid  and 
dismissed  her  to  her  couch,  after  which  the  dame 
found  herself  alone  in  the  large  apartment.  For 
about  a  minute  she  listened  as  if  to  satisfy  herself 
that  Prudence  wns  not  lingeaiug  at  the  top  of  the 
stairs  ;  then  glidiug  up  to  the  door  of  the  library 


cHAiiTEit  OAK.  ;j77 

she  lield  hor  breath  and  stiaiiied  hev  ears  to  dis- 
cover what  her  nepheAV  might  be  doing  within. 
But  all  was  quiet  and  the  only  sound  she  could 
hear  was  the  chirping  of  the  cricket  under  the 
hearth-stone  and  the  howding  of  the  wind.  After 
listening  a  moment  she  gave  a  gentle  tap  upon  the 
door,  then  with  her  mouth  to  the-keyhole,  "Joe," 
she  said,  "  put  by  your  books  and  get  some  repose." 
But  no  answer  came,  and  again  she  listened ;  ten 
minutes  elapsed,  not  the  least  sound  could  she 
distinguish  in  the  study ;  then  with  a  heavy  heart 
the  dame  betook  herself  to  her  bed-room,  muttering 
as  she  ascended  the  steps — "  I  knew  it,  I  knew  it ; 
that  kiss  in  the  forest  and  the  evil  eye  of  Nancy 
Clark  have  done  the  work."  After  Miss  Crabtree  had 
closed  her  door,  the  cricket  stopped  chirping,  and 
then  the  house  was  stiller  than  ever.  How  man}^ 
hours  Lydia  had  been  asleep  she  could  not  tell, 
when  suddenly  she  opened  her  eyes,  and  lo  !  seated 
in  the  ancient  family  chair,  wdiich  stood  close  to 
the  foot  of  her  bed,  clad  in  his  deerskin  jacket,  top 
boots,  and  with  his  sword  fastened  to  his  waist,  was 
"Wadsworth  —  in  one  hand  holding  a  lamp,  in  the 
other  the  map  of  America — and  he  was  staring  at 
her  and  in  his  gaze  there  was  something  so  strange 
and  death-like  that,  bold  as  the  girl  was,  she 
trembled.  Was  it  really  the  Captain  of  the  train- 
band, or  might  it  be  one  of  his  departed  forefathers? 


378  BOMANCE   OF   THE 

The  presence  of  Miles  Standish,  however,  reassured 
her  that  it  was  not  a  ghost.  Presently,  he  set  the 
lamp  on  the  floor,  then  unrolling  the  chart,  began 
to  trace  something  upon  it. 

Lydia  watched  him  narrowly,  and  from  the 
movement  of  his  pencil  she  felt  sure  he  was  draw- 
ing the  course  of  some  river — "  perhaps,"  she  said 
to  herself,  "it  is  the  St.  Lawrence  river,  which  I  re- 
member having  heard  him  say  was  not  on  the  map." 
"While  he  was  thus  employed,  he  did  not  utter  a 
syllable,  and  in  about  five  minutes  he  rolled  the 
parchment  up,  placed  it  on  the  foot  of  her  bed, 
then  taking  the  lamp,  withdrew.  What  was  Lydia 
to  think  of  this  ?  Might  it  be  possible  that  he  him- 
self was  the  draughtsman  of  the  chart,  whose  origin 
he  attributed  to  a  supernatural  power  ?  "Yet  could 
such  a  thing  be  done  during  sleep  ?"  thought  Lydia, 
"  some  invisible  hand  must  surely  have  been  guiding 
his — verily,  we  are  surrounded  by  mysteries."  She 
was  yet  thinking  over  what  she  had  just  witnessed 
when  she  heard  the  outer  door  close,  and  it  at  once 
occurred  to  her  that  there  might  be  danger  if  her 
host,  guided  perhaps  by  an  evil  spirit,  should  go 
wandering  about  the  town  such  a  dark  night.  So 
leaving  her  bed,  she  hastily  dressed  herself,  without 
awakening  the  good  wife,  and  she  Avas  half  way 
down  the  stair-case,  on  which  she  found  Wands- 
worth had  left  his  lamp,  when  she  heard  the  main 


CHARTER  OAK.  370 

door  open  again,  and  in  another  moment  lli.^ 
Captain  re-appeared  with  his  '  shadow,'  as  usual, 
close  at  his  heels.  As  he  approached  the  foot  of 
the  stairs,  the  girl  softly  drew  back,  but  on  reach- 
ing the  floor  above,  turned  to  see  whether  her 
host  were  following,  and  as  she  peeped  down  she 
found  him  staring  up  at  her,  with  the  same  vacant 
look,  then  presently  taking  the  lamp  he  retired 
into  the  library.  As  we  may  imagine,  Lydia  did 
not  sleep  very  soundly  the  rest  of  that  night,  and 
when  after  some  hours  the  watch  rang  the  morning 
bell,  she  rejoiced  to  think  that  the  dawn  was  break- 
ing. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

The  next  morning  Lydia  rose  from  the  breakfast 
table  with  her  host,  then  following  him  into  the 
study,  restored  the  map  which,  for  a  second  time, 
had  come  into  her  possession. 

"  Why  do  you  persist  in  taking  this  away  ?"  he 
exclaimed,  with  averted  eyes,  and  in  a  singularly 
impatient  tone.  "  Hear  me  a  moment,  Mr.  Wads- 
worth,"  replied  the  girl,  "  and  1  will  explain,  at  least 
as  far  as  I  am  able,  how  this  map  came  into  my 
hands.      Last   night,    sir,   you  entered  my  room, 


380  HOMANCE  OF  THE 

bringing  it  with  jon,  and  by  the  light  of  your  lamp 
you  traced  something  upon  it.  Look !  do  you  find 
any  thing  new  ?" 

Unrolling  the  chart,  Wadsworth  nervously  ran 
his  eye  across  it.  "Aye,  verily,"  he  exclaimed, 
"  here  is  the  St.  Lawrence  river.  And  you  declare, 
Miss  Goffe,  that  you  saw  me  tracing  it  ?" 

"I  do,  I  do." 

"  Then  it  was  the  Almighty  who  held  my  hand, 
aye,  truly  it  must  have  been;  for  I  have  no  re- 
membrance of  it.  Oh,  yes,  yes,  it  is  the  work  of 
the  Lord."  As  he  spoke  he  looked  her  full  in  the 
face,  while  his  countenance  glowed  with  enthusiasm. 

My  constancy  is  being  rewarded,"  he  continued, 
after  a  pause,  "  and  even  as  Jephthah  of  old  tri- 
umphed, so  will  God  in  the  end  give  me  the  vic- 
tory !" 

While  he  was  speaking,  Lydia  returned  his  gaze 
with  an  expression  of  astonishment  — she  could  not 
fathom  the  depth  of  his  words.  "  What  has 
Jephthah  in  common  with  the  Captain  of  the  Hart- 
ford train-band '?"  she  thought — "  is  my  host  mad  ?" 

"  You  have  been  sent  here,  Miss  Goffe,"  pursued 
Wadsworth,  "  to  prove  me,  but  I  am  master  of  my- 
self now ;  prayer  is  on  my  right  hand,  fasting  on 
my  left,  and  between  these  two  I  am  marching  to 
triumph !  A  glorious  future  is  opening  before 
me." 


CHMHIOR   OAK.  381 

Then,  after  a  pause,  "  Leave  me,"  lie  continued, 
"and  ma}^  God  grant  that  your  flinty  heart  l)e 
broken!  Own  the  covenant,  Miss,  do,  do ;  let  it 
not  be  said  that  any  one  sojourning  uniler  my  roof, 
kept  not  the  road  to  Zion — now  go  ! "  AVith 
this  the  regicide's  daughter  left  the  room,  not  un- 
willing to  escape  from  the  presence  of  a  being 
whose  brain  she  feared  was  wandering.  The  whole 
of  that  day  Wadsworth  remained  in  his  library, 
nor  during  the  fortnight  which  followed  did  he 
show  himself  more  than  once  or  twice  to  any  of  the 
household,  and  when  he  was  not  poring  over  his 
books,  he  was  out  amongst  the  people  perfecting 
his  plans  for  a  revolution.  This  coming  back  to 
his  old  habits,  however  much  it  displeased  Miss 
Crabtree  and  Simon  Adams,  brought  Lydia  very 
great  peace  of  mind,  for  it  was  evident  that  he  had 
abandoned  all  idea  of  making  love  to  her,  and  con- 
sequently she  and  her  aged  parent  might,  without 
impropriety,  continue  his  guests. 

Several  times  Colonel  Goffe  inquired  whether  the 
courting  made  any  progress,  and  he  was  astonished 
wlien  his  daughter  answered  him  that  their  host 
had  not  yet  opened  his  lips  to  her  on  the  subject  of 
marriage.  "  He  even  .  ppears  to  shun  me,"  she 
said,  "  and,  father,  I  am  glad  of  it.  He  is  a  great 
man,  born,  I  do  not  doubt,  to  achieve  wonderful 
things  ;  but  I  could  not  be  his  wife !" 


382  EOMAKCE   OF  THE 

"  It's  all  going  wrong,"  thought  Adams,  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  first  of  March,  as  he  stood  leaning 
against  the  sign-post  in  front  of  his  tavern. 

"Although  the  Captain  won't  acknowledge  it," 
he  soliloquized,  "  I'm  certain  she's  refused  him  ! 
it's  all  the  work  of  that  stranger  whom  Miss  Clark 
brought  to  the  husking."  Here  Adams  ground 
his  teeth  and  doubled  up  his  fists.  "  What's  more," 
he  continued,  "I'm  sure  that  fellow  was  the  same 
as  rescued  Miss  Lydia  from  the  wild  beasts. 
Wonder  it  didn't  occur  to  Captain  Joe  ?  Oh,  he 
ain't  as  keen  as  I  thought ;  and  that  stranger  is  no 
doubt  in  the  service  of  Andros  and  must  have  slept 
at  Nat.  Clark's  the  night  Wadsworth  saw  him  for 
a  moment  at  the  Bunch  of  Grapes.  Clark  swears 
by  King  James,  and  has  sheltered  more  than  one 
British  spy."  Then,  with  a  sad  shake  of  the  head, 
"And  hasn't  Miss  Lydia,"  he  went  on,  "  become 
mighty  intimate  with  Mr.  Clark's  daughter  ?  Alas  ! 
alas !  Captain  Joe  can't  put  two  and  two  together 
as  well  as  I  can." 

Presently,  Adams  turned  on  his  heel,  and  passing 
through  a  group  of  men,  went  into  the  Ordinarj^, 
muttering — "  the  devil's  at  the  l)ott()m  of  it,  the 
devil's  at  the  bottom  of  it." 

The  scene  inside  the  building  was  a  very  ani- 
mated one.  The  great  room  which  took  up  the 
whole    ground  floor,    was  filled    witli  peoj^lc    ^vll() 


CUAKTElt    OAK.  383 

were  conversing  in  excited  tones,  and  occasionally 
one,  into  whose  head  the  fumes  of  liquor  had  risei*, 
might  have  been  heard  cursing  Andros,  while  in  thf 
centre  of  the  throng  stood  twelve  stacks  of  mus- 
kets, with  a  number  of  pikes  leaning  against  them. 
As  the  tavern-keeper  elbowed  his  way  to  the  fur- 
ther extremity  of  the  chamber,  where  a  lad  was 
busy  dealing  out  beer  and  wine,  he  was  more  than 
once  seized  by  the  arm  and  asked  what  news  he 
had  to  give  of  Wads  worth.  *'  The  train -band  has 
a  right  to  know  if  their  chief  is  gyiiip^  to  take  a 
wife  ?"  said  one  burly  fellow. 

"  Well,  if  it's  the  gal  what  I  seen  riding  out  with 
him  a  short  while  back,"  exclaimed  the  woodman — 
the  same  whom  Lydia  had  met  driving  his  load  to 
market,  the  morning  when  her  host  had  taken  her 
out  on  his,  pillion — "  if  she's  the  gal  he's  going  to 
marry,  then,  boys,  she's  hard  to  beat.  I'd  give  a 
score  of  j^ine-tree  shillings^  for  one  of  her  curls  to 
tie  on  the  end  of  my  pike." 

"  But  she's  cut  them  all  off  since  you  saw  her," 
growled  Adams. 

"  Has  she  ?" 

"  Aye,  and  in  doing  so  the  maiden  has  only  per- 
formed her  duty,"   broke  in  a  lugubrious  voice,  and 

*  The  largest  silver  piece  in  use  in  those  days.  On  one  side 
waa  a  tree  and  Masathusete,  on  the  other  side— New  England 
Wid  the  year  of  our  Lord. 


384  11  >MANCE   OF  THE 

as  the  publican  glanced  round,  lie  beheld  the  lanky 
form  of  the  ruling  elder  standing  near  him. 

*'  Good  afternoon,  Mr.  Adams,"  continued  the 
official,  who  had  perceived  the  rising  anger  in 
Simon's  face. 

"  Good  afternoon,  Mr.  Adams."  The  effect  was 
electric,  the  honest  fellow's  frown  passed  away  at 
once,  and  taking  the  cold  middle-finger  which  was 
stretched  towards  him,  "  I  can't  refuse  to  shake  it," 
he  said,  "he  calls  me  Mister;"  yet  at  the  same  time 
one  of  Simon's  fists  was  clenched,  for  he  felt  that  he 
was  doing  violence  to  his  nature — then,  with  a  sup- 
pressed oath  he  shook  the  finger  a  moment,  after 
which  he  continued  his  way  in  the  direction  of  the 
ale-barrel,  to  the  great  disappointment  of  Mr. 
Barebones,  who  had  wanted  him  to  stay  and  ex- 
amine a  certain  paper  which  this  good  man  was 
about  drawing  from  his  pocket.  Presently,  a  drum 
commenced  to  beat,  and  in  another  moment,  Wads- 
worth  was  heard  calling  out — "  fall  in,  men;  fall  in." 

The  members  of  the  train-band  immediately  set 
their  glasses  aside,  and  taking  their  muskets  and 
pikes,  filed  out  into  the  street,  where,  having  form- 
ed ranks,  they  marched  to  the  green.  The  steps 
of  the  meeting  house  were  covered  with  people — • 
old  men  of  sixty,  lads  under  sixteen  (only  such  be- 
ing exempt  from  militia  duty),  mothers  with  their 
little  ones,  laughing  girls  and  maidens,  anxious  to 


CHARTER   OAK.  385 

see  their  sweethearts  phxy  soldier  ;  and  as  the  sto«p 
could  accommodate  but  a  limited  number,  the  rest  of 
the  spectators  were  ranged  along  the  edge  of  the 
drill-ground. 

The  train-band,  which  numbered  about  one  hun- 
dred, presented,  indeed,  a  very  motle}-  spectacle,  for 
each  member  of  it  was  allowed  to  dress  according 
to  his  fancy,  save  that  the  coats  of  all  had  to 
be  basted  with  cotton-wool  as  a  protection  against 
arrows.  Tom  Hubbard's  head,  for  instance,  was 
covered  by  a  wild-cat-skin  ;  the  tall  woodman  wore 
a  cap  made  of  the  hide  of  a  raccoon,  the  animal's 
tail  dangling  down  his  back  ;  while  many  paraded 
in  the  sugar-loaf  hat  of  the  Pilgrims,  and  all  had 
their  trousers  tucked  into  their  boots.  A  more  de- 
termined looking  set  it  would  have  been  difficult  to 
find  anywhere  ;  there  was  not  a  weakly  man 
amongst  them,  while  many  of  the  sunburnt  faces 
were  strikingly  handsome.  The  tallest  of  the  band 
carried  pikes,  and  these  formed  the  centre  of  the 
line,  while  the  musketeers,  armed  with  weapons  of 
the  old  match-lock  variet}^,  with  bandeleers  and 
rests,  composed  the  flanks.*  The  bandeleer  was  a 
wooden  case,  covered  with  leather,  answering  the 
pirpose  of  our  modern  cartridge  box,  and  worn  sus- 
pended by  a  shoulder  belt ;  the  rest  was  a  stick, 

*  For  full  description  of  a  train-band,  see  Scceva's  Hartford  lit 
olden  time. 


386  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

forked  at  one  end,  for  the  musket  to  rest  in  when 
taking  aim,  and  \\'ith  a  string  attached,  to  allow  of 
its  being  fastened  to  the  wrist. 

Presently,  Wadsworth  placed  himself  in  front  of 
his  company,  which  was  standing  at  ease  four  deep, 
then  doffing  his  hat,  exclaimed,  "  let  us  begin  with 
prayer,"  At  once  every  head  was  uncovered,  and 
for  a  few  minutes  not  a  sound  was  heard  but  the 
voice  of  the  chief  imploring  the  blessing  of  God  and 
returning  thanks  for  all  the  favors  he  had  bestowed 
on  his  people  since  their  last  meeting  then,  stretch- 
ing out  1  lis  arms,  Wadsworth  ended  by  an  invocation 
to  the  Almighty  to  grant  them  strength  and  courage 
to  defend  the  liberties  of  Connecticut,  now  seriously 
menaced.  When  he  had  concluded,  a  loud  cry  of 
"  amen  !"  arose,  both  from  soldiers  and  spectators, 
after  which  Wadsworth  commanded  "  attention  !" — 
then,  "  muskets  and  pikes  to  shoulder  !"  and  as 
every  weapon  left  the  ground  at  the  same  instant 
a  murmur  of  applause  ran  round  the  green  ;  and 
Faith  Genness  and  Dorothy  Philbrick,  who  were 
as  usual  side  by  side,  could  not  help  clapping  their 
hands,  whereat  Tom  Hubbard,  whose  black  eyes 
were  fixed  on  his  sweetheart,  felt  as  if  he  had 
grown  an  inch  taller.  The  next  command  was — 
"pikes  and  muskets,  face  to  the  right!"  This 
brought  the  company  in  marching  order — the 
musketeers  four  abreast,  leading ;  then  came  the 


CHARTER  OAK.  387 

pikemen,  while  the  rear  was  brouglit  up  by  more 
musketeers. 

In  another  moment  the  two  drummer-boj^s,  at  ;i 
signal  from  Wadsworth  began  to  beat,  and  11  k^ 
band  stepped  off.  Seven  times  they  marched  around 
the  green,  to  the  delight  of  the  multitude  ;  for  al- 
though the  drill  was  a  spectacle  which  they  witness- 
ed once  a  month,  the  good  people  seemed  never  to 
tire  of  it.  Lydia  Goffe,  of  course,  was  amongst  the 
lookers  on,  with  Miss  Crabtre(i  and  Goody  Garlic 
witliin  easy  reach  of  her  skirts — the  dames  wished  to 
prevent  her  mingling  with  the  crowd — and  as  the 
regicide's  daughter  saw  the  active,  brave-looking 
youths  going  through  the  manceuvres,  her  cheeks 
flushed  with  excitement. 

"  If  she  won't  take  my  Joe,"  whispered  Charity 
to  Prudence— the  eyes  of  both  old  maids  were 
fastened  on  her — "  she'll  not  have  any  body  else." 

Never  before  had  the  girl  appeared  so  animated, 
and  several  hoary -headed  men  exchanged  signifi- 
cant nods  and  murmured — "isn't  she  a  splendid 

gal?" 

At  length,  when  the  company  had  marched 
around  the  green  for  the  seventh  time,  it  came  to  a 
halt,  then  forming  again  into  line,  it  waited  for  the 
Captain  to  say  another  prayer,  after  which  it  might 
break  ranks  and  disperse.  Just  at  this  moment, 
Lydia,  unable   any  longer  to  control  her  feelings, 


388  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

rushed  from  between  her  guardians,  and  pushing 
aside  those  who  stood  in  her  way,  ran  across  the 
green,  exclaiming  with  upHfted  arms — "  well  done, 
well  done,  well  done  !" 

Immediately,  every  eye  was  turned  upon  her,  but 
as  if  she  did  not  perceive  what  a  sensation  she  was 
creating,  she  w^ent  on  heaping  praises  on  the 
soldiers,  and  urging  them  in  impassioned  tones  to 
die  rather  than  give  up  their  liberty. 

"  I  tell  you  she  can't  be  beat,"  exclaimed  the 
rugged  forester,  when  Lydia  had  finished  her  har- 
angue and  withdrawn  to  the  edge  of  the  green — 
"  I'd  give,  forty  pine  shillings  to  have  one  of  her 
lost  curls  at  the  end  of  my  pike ;  oh  dear,  it  was  a 
sin  to  clip  'em  off!" 

This  remark  was  overheard  by  Adams,  who  nod- 
ded and  murmured — "  poor  Captain  Joe  !'* 

It  was  on  Wadsworth,  however,  that  the  girl's 
conduct  produced  the  deepest  impression ;  he  did 
not  utter  a  word,  his  lips  were  firmly  pressed  to- 
gether, his  eyes,  which  for  an  instant  had  taken  in 
all  her  beauty,  w^ere  now  burrowing  into  the  sod  ; 
and  thus  he  remained  until  the  people  wondered 
what  kept  him  so  rigid  and  silent.  "  Give  me 
grace,"  he  murmured,  "  not  to  fall  again ;  oh, 
Lord!  prop  me  up,  for  I  am  weak  and  sorely 
tempted.     God  hear  my  voice." 

At  length,  uncovering  his    head,  the   finishing 


CHARTER   OAK.  389 

prayer  was  offered  and  tlie  train-band  broke  up, 
the  members  remarking  to  one  another  as  they 
walked  away,  that  the  voice  of  their  chief  had  a 
strange  tremor  in  it  which  they  had  never  remark- 
ed before. 

"  Your  friend  is  bold  and  very  enthusiastic," 
whispered  Mr.  Clark,  tapping  Nancy  on  the  shoul- 
der, while  the  crowd  was  surging  around  them  ; 
"  she's  just  what  I'd  expect  Goffe's  daughter  to  be." 
At  these  words  the  young  woman  started  and  gazed 
inquiringly  at  him. 

"  Ha  !  you  appear  astonished,"  he  continued,  and 
still  speaking  in  a  very  low  tone ;  "  well,  I  have 
discovered  more  than  you  have  about  your  friend, 
and  this  will  make  one  more  secroi  to  share  be- 
tween us.  Just  thhik,  Nancy,  think  of  our  reward ! 
Why,  I  would  not  take  a  thousand  pounds  for  the 
secret.  I  know  who  her  father  is  and  where  he  is 
hidden,  I  do !  I  do !  and  if  I  had  a  score  of  red- 
coats I'd  arrest  him  before  the  moon  rise.^  to- 
night." i 

His  daughter  remained  silent,  she  was  too  as- 
tonished to  utter  a  word. 

Lydia  the  daughter  of  the  long-sought  Goffe  ! 
how  had  her  father  discovered  it  ?  Might  Henry 
Synnot  have  told  him,  and  if  so,  who  had  UAd  the 
British  officer?  Had  Lydia,  by  some  auguarded 
expression,  allowed  the  great  secret  to  escape  her? 


390  ROMANCE  Oi*  THE 

— and  as  these  thoughts  rushed  upon  Nancy,  she 
regretted  more  bitterlj-  than  ever  having  brought 
her  father's  guest  to  the  huskmg,  where,  perhaps, 
her  fi'iend  had  unwittingly  betrayed  herself. 

But  whoever  had  made  this  important  discovery, 
of  one  thing  she  was  certain,  it  would  not  be  long 
in  reaching  the  ear  of  Andros ;  perhaps,  although 
her  father  had  spoken  of  it  as  a  secret  between 
herself  and  him,  the  news  might  already  be  on  its 
way  to  Boston. 

"  O  LjTlia !"  she  murmured,  "  I  will  be  your 
friend,  your  true  friend ;  you  shall  know  of  your 
parent's  danger" — tlien  turning  abruptly  away,  she- 
hastened  towards  the  north  end  of  the  town.  Mr. 
Clark  called  her  back,  but  for  the  first  time  in  her 
life  she  dared  openly  disobey  him,  and  soon  her 
figure  was  lost  among  the  crowd.  Mr.  Chirk  would 
fain  have  pursued  his  daughter,  but  during  the 
past  week  an  old  complaint,  rheumatic  gout,  had 
attacked  him,  and  it  had  not  been  without  difficulty 
that  he  had  come  even  as  far  as  the  drill-ground, 
so  that  all  he  could  do  was  to  frown  and  shake  his 
cane  at  her.  "  But,  no,"  he  presently  said  to  him- 
self, "  no,  I  cannot  believe  she'd  dare  betray  the 
secret,  she'd  not  dare  !  she'd  not  dare  !"  yet  while 
he  stood  lingering  on  the  green,  Nancy's  conduct 
filled  him  more  and  more  with  uneasiness.  Might 
she   be   going   even    now   to    warn    the    regicide? 


CHARTER   OAK.  891 

*'  And  if  she  is  capable  of  that,"  he  said  to  himself, 
grinding  his  teeth,  "  what  else  might  she  not  do  ? 
She  has  written  all  my  letters  to  Randolph  and 
Dudley,  and  there  are  those  in  Hartford,  who,  if 
they  knew  all,  might  put  a  bullet  through  me. 
True,  I  have  won  over  a  few  to  the  side  of  the  king 
during  the  past  month,  but  what  would  they  be 
against  Wadsworth's  party  ?"  Here  he  made  a 
strong  effo  rt  to  overcome  his  lameness,  and  slowly 
directed  his  steps  tow^ards  the  Ordinary,  w^here 
there  Avas  to  be  a  meeting  of  those  disaffected  to- 
wards the  government,  and  he  was  anxious  to  dis- 
cover what  might  be  said  and  done  hj  the  malcon- 
tents. But  notwithstanding  his  eagerness,  he  did 
not  venture  nearer  the  tavern  than  the  width  of 
Main  street,  for  his  quick  ear  had  overheard  more 
than  one  unfriendly  remark  from  those  who,  like 
himself,  were  on  their  w  ay  thither,  and  to  enter  the 
building  would  not  be  prudent.  Indeed,  it  required 
not  a  little  boldness  to  go  even  as  far  as  he  did ; 
but  the  reward  which  he  expected  one  day  to  re- 
ceive, w^ould  repay  him  for  the  danger  and  the 
many  insults  which  w^ere  heaped  upon  him,  while 
those  w^ho  scowled  the  most,  w^ould  be  remembered 
when  the  day  of  his  triumph  came.  "  Aye,"  he  said 
to  himself,  "  I'll  give  it  back  to  them  with  interest." 
In  the  mean  wdiile,  although  Mr.  Clark's  eyes 
were  darting  in  every  direction,  he  could  see  nothing 


392  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

of  his  daughter  nor  of  Lydia,  who  was  now  Nancy's 
constant   companion ;  and   he   was  still  anxiously 
looking  around  him  when  Wadsworth  entered  the 
Ordinary,  accompanied  by  Israel  Barebones,  Mad 
Adams  and  Jacob  Japheth,  and  these  were  followed 
by  all  the  members  of  the  train-band,  so  that  in  a 
few  minutes  the  large  room  was  so  crowded  that  it 
could  hold  no  more.     As  soon  as  the  stream  of 
people  had  ceased  flowing  inward,  a  voice  called  out, 
"  silence  !"    then  sombody — Mr.  Clark  believed  it 
was  Adams — proposed  that  Captain  Joe  should  be 
chosen  moderator.     "  I  second   that   motion,"  re- 
sponded half  a  dozen  voices,  and  in  a  moment  the 
partisan  of  King  James  could  discern  the  chief  of 
the  train-band  mounting  a  barrel   at   the   further 
end  of  the  room.     Then  followed  a  silence  so  deep 
that  you  might  have  heard  a  pin  drop,  after  which 
Wadsworth  began  to  speak.      "Fellow  freemen," 
he  said,  his  usually  grave  countenance  now  beam- 
ing with  animation — "  this  meeting,  as  you  know,  is 
not  called  for  the  purpose  of  regulating  town  affairs. 
At  my   suggestion   you   have    assimbled   to  take 
counsel  as  to  what  we  ought  to  do  for  the  defence 
of  our  hberties,  now  seriously  threatened   by  Sir 
Edmund   Andros" — Here  Mr.  Clark  put  his  hand 
to  his  ear  and  advanced  half  way   across  the  road. 
"  You  are  alread}^  aware,  despite  the  slowness   of 
travel  at  this  season  of  the  year  between  Boston 


CHARTER    OAK.  393 

and  Hartford,  tliat  Andros  is  the  new  ruler  wliora 
King  James  has  put  over  as.  Bad  as  Dudley  was, 
he  was  not  found  bad  enough ;  there  was  in  his 
breast  at  least  a  faint  spark  of  godliness,  for  he  was 
the  son  of  a  godly  man  and  did  not  wish  to  crush 
us  like  worms.  Hence  that  half  serpent,  half 
wolf,  Eandolph,  has  persuaded  his  royal  master  to 
displace  Dudley  and  saddle  New  England  with  a 
tyrant  who  has  no  more  scruples  than  the  devil 
himself.  But,  fellow  freemen,  I  am  not  astonished 
at  this.  King  James  would  be  blind  as  a  bat  at 
noontide  if  he  did  not  see  whither  these  colonies  are 
drifting" — "  And  will  still  drift  on  in  spite  of  him," 
cried  Adams — "  We  must  ere  long  fly  away  fi'om 
him,"  continued  Wadsworth,  not  heeding  the  in- 
terruption ;  "  our  wings  are  almost  fledged,  he 
knows  it  and  wants  to  clip  them.  But  he  shall  not 
do  it,  no,  no !  we  shall  fly  away.  A  republic  is 
coming,  sure  as  the  rising  sun.  'Twere  folly  to  ex- 
pect a  country  like  ours,  stretching  as  it  does 
from  the  eastern  borders  of  New  Hampshire  to  the 
Pacific  ocean,  to  belong  to  a  little  island  on  the 
coast  of  Europe?  Think  of  it,  freemen  !  think  of  it ! 
What  a  future  there  is  before  us  if  we  only — dare." 
Here  Tom  Hubbard,  quite  unable  to  repress  his 
feelings,  jumped  upon  Adams'  shoulders  and  cried — 
"Three  cheers  for  independence,"  and  three  such 
cheers  were  given  that  the  publican  thought  the 


394  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

walls  of  the  tavern  were  coming  down  about  bis 
ears.  "  Thank  God  for  that/'  pursued  Wadsworth, 
when  the  shouts  had  died  away.  "  But,  freemen, 
in  order  to  reach  the  glorious  goal,  we  need  some- 
thing that  we  do  not  so  willingly  give  as  a  cheer. 
The  King  has  large  armies  and  fleets,  and  will  do 
his  utmost  to  keep  us  in  our  present  condition. 
Blood !  aye,  our  heart's  blood  must  be  offered  up  if 
we  wish  to  succeed." 

As  Wadsworth  uttered  these  words  the  eyes  of 
the  listeners  flashed,  lip  was  pressed  upon  lip. 
"  Yes,  fellow  freemen,  this  is  the  root  of  the  matter : 
Are  you  wilhng  to  fight,  bleed,  die,  for  what  you 
have  just  been  cheering?"  A  hundred  voices  cried 
out  "  yes  !"  "  Then  I  request  every  man  of  you  to 
be  ready  to  assemble  at  a  minute's  notice  ;  I  chris- 
ten you  the  minute-men  of  Liberty.  Andros  has 
made  a  demand  on  Governor  Treat  for  our  charter 
— it  will  be  refused  ;  he  will  then  no  doubt  come 
here  to  take  it — not  immediately  perhaps ;  he  may 
wait  for  better  weather,  but  come  he  will  before 
many  months.  When  he  does  come,  let  us  stand 
like  a  rock  between  him  and  the  palladium  of  our 
rights.  Our  resistance  will  be  the  signal  for  a  gen- 
eral rising,  and  although  I  and  all  of  you  may 
perish  in  the  struggle,  the  end  will  be  a  Ee- 
public."  Here  Wadsworth  ceased  speaking  and 
for  the  next  few  minutes  he  appeared  to  be  study- 


CHARTER   OAK.  395 

ing  closely  the  faces  of  tlie  people  — his  eagle  eye 
rested  first  upon  one,  then  on  the  other,  but  his 
glance,  altliough  rapid,  was  steady  and  penetrating. 
"  If  all  the  train-bands  of  New  England,"  he  said 
to  himself,  "  had  the  spirit  of  this  one,  we  might  be 
free  to-morrow."  It  was  evident  that  his  words 
had  made  a  deep  impression.  Many  called  out  to 
him  to  go  on,  while  Tom  Hubbard,  who  was 
perched  on  Adams'  shoulders,  declared  he  wished 
Sir  Edmund  would  come  that  very  day  to  take  the 
charter — "Tom  Hubbard  would  make  him  see 
stars." 

"  I  have  said  enough,"  pursued  Wadsworth,  after 
a  short  silence,  "but  I  would  be  glad  to  answer 
any  questions  you  may  put  to  me  ;  I  want  every 
man  to  open  his  heart  and  say  frankly  what  he 
feels.     F  ave  you  any  suggestions  to  make  ?" 

For  about  a  minute  no  one  spoke  ;  then  Adams, 
who  knew  well  the  wishes  of  his  chief  and  what 
points  the  latter  wanted  to  have  discussed,  asked 
him  if  guards  ought  not  to  be  posted  thenceforth 
during  the  day  as  w^ell  as  the  night,  in  the  watch 
towers  at  the  north  and  south  ends  of  the  town  ? 

"  Verily,  that  is  an  idea,"  exclaimed  the  moder- 
ator, "  which  I  have  been  revolving  in  my  mind 
often  of  late.  Your  proposition,  Mr.  Adams  (at  the 
word  'Mister'  the  pul)lican  grinned)  is  worthy 
the  serious  consideration  of  the  meetiig.     No  man 


396  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

can  tell  what  may  happen  m  these  times,  and 
should  the  rumor,  which  has  come  to  me  from 
a  most  reliable  source,  prove  true,  not  an  hour 
ought  to  be  lost  in  returning  to  our  former  ha- 
bits of  defence.  I  am  as  well  convinced  that 
Andros  is  endeavoring  to  make  use  of  the  Wam- 
panoags  and  the  Narragansetts  in  his  unholy 
scheme  of  subjugation,  as  I  am  tliat  he  has  spies 
going  and  coming  between  here  and  Boston.  Yes, 
guards  should  be  in  the  watch-houses  every  hour  of 
the  twenty -four,  and  let  Indians,  and  all  persons 
not  freemen  of  Hartford  and  known  to  be  peaceable 
inhabitants,  be  warned  away.  Of  course  it  will 
cost  us  money  and  trouble  to  do  these  things,  but 
what  of  that?  the  end  is  worth  it ;  therefore,  I  put 
the  question — shall  guards  henceforward  be  posted 
during  the  day  time?"  A  "yes,"  loud,  but  not  al- 
together unanimous,  followed  this  appeal,  and 
among  those  who  did  not  vote  either  waj^,  was 
Tom  Hubbard.  To  stay  awake  one  night  in  the 
week  on  Wyllys'  hill,  where  there  was  always  a 
breeze  blowing,  had  never  been  a  pleasant  duty  for 
i-he  lad,  who  with  all  his  good  points  was  fond  of  his 
couch ;  but  to  prolong  the  guard  duty  after  sunrise 
was  more  than  he  thought  he  could  bear.  The 
salmon,  the  deer  and  the  black-eyed  Dorothy  Phil- 
brick  came  before  his  mind's  eye,  at  this  moment, 
in  an  intensely  vivid  manner,  and  appealed  to  him 


CHARTER   OAK.  397 

against  Wadsworth's  p)()positioD.  Kevertlicless, 
unlike  the  fellow  on  liis  right  he  did  not  vote  No,  nor 
did  he  approve  of  another  person's  remark,  namel}', 
that  "  Wadsworth  Avas  turnnig  all  Connecticut  up- 
side down  just  because  Sir  Edmund  was  drawing  the 
reins  a  little  tighter  than  Dudley."  On  the  contrarj^ 
he  looked  the  malcontent  full  in  the  face  and  made 
him  turn  his  eye  away.  Adams'  quick  ear  had 
likewise  overheard  his  unpatriotic  remark,  and 
opening  his  broad  hand,  which  was  as  hard  as  a 
stone,  he  brought  it  down  on  the  grumbler's  shoul- 
der with  a  thud  which  drew  the  attention  of  every- 
body around. 

"What  was  that  you  said  ?"  he  exclaimed,  his  lip 
quivering,  and  looking  almost  as  fierce  as  his  chief 
could  at  times. 

The  man  turned  deadly  pale,  yet  his  face  was  not 
that  of  a  coward — for  Nathaniel  Clark,  in  choosing 
his  partisans,  above  all  things  aimed  at  winning 
over  those  who  had  courage  as  well  as  shrewdness — 
but  to  say  anything  further  in  opposition  to  Wads- 
worth,  under  present  circumstances,  would  be  only 
courting  violence  ;  so  the  dissenter  held  his  tongue, 
while  his  confederate,  he  who  had  given  the  nega- 
tive vote,  edged  up  closer,  and  likewise  said  nothing. 
Had  the  tavern-keeper,  however,  gone  a  step  fur- 
ther, they  would  both  have  fought  desperately  ; 
but  Adams  merely  kept  his  hand  on  the  fellow's 


398  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

shoulder,  then  after  repeating  to  the  moderator  th« 
words  which  he  had  heard  him  utter,  requested 
that  it  be  put  to  the  vote,  whether  or  no  he  should 
be  expelled  from  the  train-band.  Accordingly,  the 
question  was  put,  and  by  an  overwhelming  majority 
this  tool  of  Mr.  Clark  was  declared  expelled. 

As  soon  as  the  decision  was  announced,  the  man 
sullenly  walked  out,  accompanied  by  his  friend, 
although  the  latter  had  not  suffered  his  disgrace, 
and  as  they  made  their  way  to  the  door  the  people 
eyed  them  with  savage  glances.  But  Wadsworth's 
face  instead  of  anger  only  expressed  aston- 
ishment. "  Can  it  be  possible  ?"  he  said,  half 
aloud,  "  can  it  be  possible  ! — treason  here,  right 
in  our  midst  !"  Indeed,  so  great  was  the  ef- 
fect produced  upon  him  by  this  discover} ,  that 
he  requested  the  people  to  let  Israel  Barebones 
take  his  place  as  moderator ;  then  descending 
from  the  barrel,  he  endeavored  to  hide  himself 
among  the  audience.  But  Adams  soon  found  him 
out,  and  taking  his  arm,  pulled  him  into  a  corner 
where  they  both  entered  into  earnest  conversa- 
tion. 

Meanwhile  the  ruling  elder  was  surveying  the 
upturned  faces  with  an  expression  of  pity  mingled 
with  sternness.  Much  as  the  people  esteemed  him 
as  a  man  of  zeal  and  godhness,  the  vote  by  which 
they  had  allowed   him  to   take  Wadsworth's  place 


CHAETER   OAK.  399 

had  lacked  but  veiy  few  of  being  a  negative,  while 
a  voice,  which  had  sounded  exceedingly  like  Tom 
Hubbard's,  had  yelled  out  in  a  tone  of  derision, 
"  Didn't  we  have  a  jolly  time  at  the  husking — oh, 
didn't  we  !"  And  when  he  had  heard  it,  the  good 
man  had  groaned,  and  no  wonder  if  he  appeared  at 
this  moment  stern,  yvx  withal  commiserating.  "  If 
by  such  insults,"  he  thought,  "  my  sin  can  be  wiped 
out,  then  let  them  insult  me  often  and  often ;  by 
the  grace  of  God  I  will  keep  out  of  Satan's  clutches 
henceforwaid. 

"  You're  a  long  time  beginning  what  you  have  to 
say,"  muttered  the  rugged  woodman,  who  was 
evidently  not  quite  sure  of  his  ground,  and  there- 
fore spoke  so  low  that  nobody  heard  him. 

"  For  God's  sake  don't  talk  religion,  I  get  enough 
of  that  at  meeting,"  said  another  voice. 

Still  Israel  Barebones  spoke  not ;  the  truth  is,  he 
was  collecting  his  thoughts.  Accustomed  as  he 
was  to  addressing  crowds,  the  subject  on  which  he 
was  about  to  speak  lay  so  near  his  heart,  that  he 
was  anxious  to  place  it  before  the  people  in  the 
most  winning  way  ;  yes,  it  was  something  he  cared 
a  thousand  times  more  about  than  the  safety  of  the 
charter,  and  the  very  fullness  of  his  thoughts 
caused  him  to  hesitate—his  mouth  twitched  and 
he  rubbed  his  forehead.  "It's  a  comin',"  laughed 
Tom  Hubbard,  poking  the  woodman  in  the  ribs- 


4:00  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"  a  sermon  as  long  as  my  mammy's  string  of  '  sas- 
singers'  just  after  hog  killin' — ha  !  ha  !" 

At  length  the  new  moderator  began  his  remarks, 
and  at  once  the  most  sluggish  and  indifferent 
amongst  his  audience  gave  him  their  attention,  for 
there  was  something  in  the  good  man's  nasal 
twang  which  produced  a  rousing  effect  and  stirred 
one  up  like  the  prick  of  a  needle. 

"  Fellow  freemen,"  he  said,  "  while  I  duly  ap- 
preciate the  love  which  you  feel  for  liberty,  I  yet 
cannot  but  beheve  that  you  will  listen  patiently  to 
a  few  remarks  on  quite  a  different  topic,  one,  how- 
ever, which  is  most  closely  connected  with  self- 
government.  Aye,  fellow  freemen,  the  welfare  of 
these  colonies  depends  on  the  strict  observance  of 
religion.  Once  let  the  rules  established  by  our 
clmrches  and  aj^proved  by  the  General  Assemblies 
become  relaxed,  and  I  would  not  give  a  snap  of  my 
finger  for  what  remained — when  godliness  is  at  a 
low  ebb,  self-government  conies  to  an  end." 

"  Oh  dear !"  sighed  Tom  Hubbaid,  while  at  the 
same  time  the  woodman  gave  a  low  yawn  and 
glanced  towards  the  door — "  Oh  dear  !" 

But  the  speaker  without  noticing  them,  went  on  : 
"  Now,  fellow  fi-eemen,  I  have  observed  that  sab- 
bath-breaking is  on  the  increase  amongst  us;  in- 
stead of  coming  to  meeting,  listening  to  the  preacher, 
and  singing  psaltns,  some  of  the  townfolk — I  shall 


CHARTER   OAK.  401 

not  name  them,  at  present — pass  the  hours  of  ser- 
vice either  at  home  or  strolhng  up  and  down  the 
street,  breaking  the  law  in  the  most  unblushing 
waj." 

Here  a  voice  cried  out,  "  Mr.  Moderator,  this 
ain't  a  town-meeting  and  we  cannot  properly  con- 
sider the  subject  of  sabbath -breaking ;  we  have 
simply  met  as  a  train-band,  to  discuss  the  political 
condition  of  the  country,  and  the  proper  means  of 
defending  our  rights,  now  threatened  by  Andros." 

"  That's  so,"  exclaimed  several  other  voices. 
But  Mr.  Barebones  calmly  made  a  motion  with  his 
hand,  as  if  he  were  waving  these  objectors  out  of 
his  presence,  then  continued  : 

"Now,  fellow  freemen,  I  have  a  request  to  make, 
and  it  is,  that  after  leaving  here  you  consult  among 
yourselves  as  to  the  propriety  of  having  a  cage  set 
up  near  both  meeting-houses.  I  do  not  put  this  to 
a  vote  at  present,  for,  as  somebody  has  very  justly 
remarked,  this  is  not  a  town-meeting  ;  all  I  ask  is, 
that  you  talk  it  over,  and  the  next  time  we  come 
together  for  legislation  the  subject  can  be  brought 
up  and  acted  upon.  I  will  merely  add  that  in 
Ipswich,  Massachussets,  the  cage  has  been  found 
an  efficacious  means  for  preventing  sabbath-break- 
ing, and  I  would  therefore  urge  that  two  of  them 
be  got  for  our  town  without  delay."  Here  he 
ceased  speaking  a  moment,  while  an  ominous  mur* 


402  ILOMANCE   OF   THE 

mur  rang  tlirough  tlie  room,  and  not  a  few  shook 
their  heads.  But  before  these  signs  of  disappro- 
bation had  taken  a  more  decided  form,  the  good 
man  went  on  ;  "  let  me  show  you,"  he  said,  holding 
up  a  piece  of  paper  on  which  was  a  diagram  which 
no  modern  e^^e  could  have  explained — "  let  mo 
show  you  a  new-fashioned  ducking-stool ;  it  is  my 
own  invention,  and  the  Lord  only  knows  the  hours 
of  wakefulness  it  cost  me,  before  I  was  able  to  bring 
it  to  perfection.  Instead  of  a  common  chair,  liable 
to  be  broken,  this  has  a  very  strong  back  with  a 
wrought-iron  rod  fastened  to  each  arm  in  front, 
and  these  rods  meet  in  the  segment  of  a  circle 
abo\e,  while  there  is  another  one  fixed  to  the  back, 
which  curves  over  the  sinner's  head  and  joins  the 
other  rods  at  the  top,  where  I  have  fastened  a  ring 
through  which  you  can  insert  the  end  of  the  pole. 
I  flatter  myself  that  it  will  be  found  much  better 
than  the  ricketty  contrivance  dangling  from  the  wil- 
low tree  on  Little  river,  and  which  is  a  disgrace 
to  the  town."  Here  he  handed  the  diagram  to  one 
of  the  audience,  at  the  same  time  bidding  him  ex- 
amine it  and  then  pass  it  round.  This  was  too 
much  ;  quick  as  lightening,  Tom  Hubbard  reached 
his  arm  out,  and  snatching  the  paper  away, 
crumpled  it  up,  and  threw  it  in  the  direction  of  the 
window,  to  the  great  amusement  of  the  crowd,  Avho 
applauded  vehemently.     Wadsworth  at  once  ceased 


CHAETEft   OAK.  403 

conversing  witli  Adams,  and  began  moving  towards 
the  scene  of  disturbance.  His  good  sense  told  him 
that  the  train-band  was  in  no  humor  to  Usten  to 
such  remarks  as  Mr.  Barebones  had  been  making  ; 
and  indeed,  before  he  got  to  the  barrel,  a  score  of 
voices  were  calling  out,  "  enough,  enough  ! — come 
down,  come  dow^n  !"  As  he  drew  near,  a  smile  of 
pity  broke  out  on  the  good  man's  face  ;  "  Mark 
what  I  say,"  cried  the  ruling  elder,  shaking  his  fore- 
finger at  the  people,  "  mark  what  I  say ;  your  un- 
willingness to  hear  me  is  a  sign  of  coming  evil ;  the 
Almighty  will  not  bless  you,  and  I  prophecy  that 
Satan  will  become  more  rampant  than  ever.  Many 
will  be  possessed  by  his  imps,  and  witches  will  fill 
the  land  with  horror  !" 

With  this  he  descended  from  his  elevated  position, 
while  Tom  Hubbard  at  the  same  instant  burst  into 
a  derisive  laugh,  and  declared  that  he  would  carry 
a  horse- shoe  in  each  pocket  to  scare  the  witches 
ofi'.  The  commotion  caused  by  Mr.  Barebones' 
speech  had  reached  its  climax,  when  the  tall  wood- 
man caught  a  glimpse  of  Lydia  Goffe,  leaning  over 
the  window-sill. 

''  There's  a  gal  in  a  million!"  he  cried,  exultingly 
and  pointing  his  finger  at  her ;  "  make  room, 
friends,  make  room — let  her  have  a  place  inside. 
Oh,  what  would  I  give  for  one  of  her  lost  curls  to 
hang  on  the  end  of  my  pike  ?" 


404  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

In  an  instant  every  eye  was  fixed  on  the  regicide'a 
daughter,  and  as  soon  as  the  people  recognized 
her  as  the  same  young  woman  who  had  so  boldly 
applauded  them  when  they  had  been  under  arms 
on  the  green,  they  gave  a  lusty  cheer  and  bade  her 
enter,  while  a  score  of  hands  were  stretched  out  to 
help  her  across  the  sill.  Lydia,  blushing,  accepted 
their  invitation,  and  in  another  moment  found  her- 
self in  the  midst  of  the  crowd,  who  were  calling 
upon  her  to  take  the  place  which  Mr.  Barebones 
had  just  left,  and  favor  them  with  an  oration.  No 
sooner  did  Wadsworth  behold  her  than  his  frame 
quivered,  his  eyes  flashed  like  coals  of  fire,  and  he 
ground  his  teeth  in  the  violent  effort  to  master  him- 
self, then  uttering  a  prayer,  he  bent  his  head  and 
fixed  his  gaze  upon  the  floor. 

"  She's  a  puzzle.  Captain  Joe,  a  puzzle,"  said 
Adams  ;  "  flirting  at  the  husking  with  a  stranger, 
whom  I  believe  now  to  have  been  a  spy  -  associat- 
ing with  Nancy  Clark,  whose  father  is  so  devoted 
to  the  king — then  shouting  out  '  well  done,'  when 
she  sees  us  drilling.  Oh,  yes,  Miss  Lydia  is  a  great 
puzzle,  but  isn't  she  beautiful  ?  Look,  Captain,  she 
is  going  to  make  a  speech." 

The  girl  by  this  time  had  almost  reached  the 
barrel,  and  Simon,  twining  his  arm  through  his 
chief's,  was  about  drawing  the  latter  to  a  position 
where  they  might  have  a  better  view  of  the  mai- 


CHARTER   OAK.  405 

den's  coniitenance,  when  suddenly  a  voice  was 
heard  calling  out,  "  come  back,  Lydia,  coiiiel)ack," 
and  glancing  in  the  direction  of  the  window,  they 
saw  Nancy  Clark  beckoning.  The  young  woman's 
face  was  deadly  pale  and  she  betrayed  intense  ex- 
citement. "  L}  dia,  Lydia,"  she  kept  crying,  "  come 
back,  come  back  !"  In  a  moment,  the  regicide's 
daughter  had  freed  herself  from  the  grasp  of  the 
tall  woodman,  who  was  piloting  her  through  the 
crowd,  and  was  hastening  towards  her  friend. 

"  Come  with  me,  quick,"  whispered  Nancy,  pull- 
ing her  through  the  window,  wlide  the  multitude 
gazed  after  her  in  astonishment  ;  -  "  quick,  quick, 
no  time  to  lose."  As  the  girl  disappeared.  Wads- 
worth  gave  a  sigh  of  relief. 

I  was  tempted,"  he  murmured,  "  but  God  heard 
my  prayer— may  I  continue  firm  O  Lord,  stand  by 
me."  Yet  he  trembled  to  think  of  what  he  might 
have  been  exposed  to,  had  Lydia  remained  and  ad- 
dressed the  meeting.  Could  he  long  have  kept  his 
eyes  in  sul^jection  ?  "  Nancy,"  he  said  to  himself, 
"  I  believe  you  have  been  praying  for  me  ;  I  do,  I 
do.  To  no  other  being  on  earth  but  you  have  I  told 
my  covenant  with  the  Almighty — keep  prciying  for 
me,  good  angel,  keep  praying." 

Adams  stared  at  his  chief  a  moment,  then  with  a 
shrug  of  his  shoulders,   "  I'm   going  out,  sir,"  he 


406  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

whispered,    "  to   watch  them   gals  ;  there's  some- 
thing up,  depend  upon  it." 

As  soon  as  the  young  w^omen  had  got  a  short 
distance  from  the  Bunch  of  Grapes,  Lydia  turned, 
and  with  a  kjok  which  betrayed  her  uneasiness, 
asked  what  was  the  matter. 

"  'Tis  something  of  great  importance,"  rephed 
Nancy,  "  but  you  are  strong  and  can  bear  to  hear 
the  truth  ;  were  I  you,  it  would  drive  me  mad.'' 
Here  Lydia's  face  lost  every  trace  of  color,  she  felt 
a  presentiment  that  some  great  evil  was  hanging 
over  her.  "It  is  known,"  pursued  her  friend, 
"  that  your  father  is  Goife,  the  long  sought  regicide, 
and  that  he  is  concealed  in  town." 

At  these  words  Lydia  felt  a  suddent  w^eakness 
seize  her,  the  trees  and  the  houses  danced  before 
her  eyes,  and  placing  her  hands  on  Nancy's  shoul- 
der she  bowed  her  head,  while  the  other  thought 
for  a  moment  that  she  was  going  to  faint.  "  My 
fault,  my  fault,"  she  murmured,  "  all  my  fault.  Oh 
why  was  I  not  devoured  by  the  wolves  on  that 
fatal  night,  better  such  a  death  a  thousand  times, 
than  have  had  the  secret  escape  me.  Oh  !  Synnot, 
Synnot;  shame  on  you  !"  Presently  she  looked  up 
and  eyeing  her  friend  with  a  determined  air— 
*'  but  they'll  not  take  my  father  away."  she  said, 
"never! — "  then  before  Nancy  could  stop  her  slie 
was  hastening  back  to  the  tavern,  through  the  door 


CHARTER   OAK.  401 

of  which  she  in  another  moment  disappeared.  A 
quarter  of  an  hour  passed,  and  Nancy  was  yet 
standing  in  the  same  spot  waiting  for  her  return, 
when  happening  to  glance  a  httle  to  the  right  she 
perceived,  at  the  distance  of  scarce  fifty  paces,  her 
father  leaning  on  his  cane,  and  beside  him  the 
expelled  member  of  the  train-band  and  his  con- 
federate. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Th£:  irain-band  had  dispersed  to  their  homes,  the 
Bunch  of  Grapes  was  deserted  by  all  except  a 
couple  of  idlers  playing  shovel-board,  and  Wads- 
worth,  seated  by  the  west  window  of  his  library, 
was  gazing  out  upon  the  horizon,  noAV  glowing^ 
with  all  the  splendor  of  the  setting  sun.  His 
arms  were  folded  upon  his  breast,  his  heavy  eye- 
browns  appeared  heavier,  the  fire  beneath  them  was 
more  vivid  than  usual,  and  his  sword  was  yet 
buckled  by  his  side.  In  vain  for  the  last  half  hour 
had  Miles  Standish  endeavored  to  gain  his  master's 
attention,  by  placing  first  one  paw,  then  the  other, 
on  his  knee — -WadsAvorth  took  no  notice  of  the 
faithful  creature.  At  times  his  lips,  which  were 
firmly  pressed  together,  would  part,  and  he  would 
^peak  aloud — "Just  what  I've  been  dreading!"  he 


408  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

would  exclaim ;  "  yes,  the  old  gentleman,  contrary 
to  my  advice^  must  have  peeped  into  the  barn  the 
night  of  the  husking,  and  the  stranger  whom  Nancy 
Clark  brought  must  have  discovered  him."  Then 
shaking  his  head  :  "  But  Nancy !  oh  Nancy  !  you 
never  did  that  of  your  own  free  will !  your  father 
has  made  you  the  tool  of  his  baseness ;  he  forced 
you  to  bring  that  spy  amongst  us.  But  God  bless 
you,  you  did  your  duty  to  freedom  when  you 
warned  the  regicide's  daughter  of  her  father  s 
peril."  Here  he  rose  from  his  seat,  and  opening 
the  door  beckoned  to  Lydia,  who  ever  since  she  had 
received  the  terrifying  news,  had  been  nestled  by 
her  parent's  side — her  face  without  a  trace  of  color, 
and  brooding  now  on  the  danger  which  menaced 
him,  then  on  the  treachery  of  Henry  Synnot,  while 
Colonel  Goffe  had  done  his  best  to  engage  her  in 
conversation  and  tell  him  w4iat  she  thought  of  the 
drill. 

"  What  ails  you,  child  ?"  at  length  the  old  gentle- 
man asked,  just  as  the  library  door  opened  and 
Wads  worth  beckoned.  The  girl  started  up,  and 
without  answering  the  question,  hastened  towards 
the  Hbrary. 

"  I  cannot  comprehend  her,"  whispered  Goody 
Garlic. 

"  Nor  I,"  said  Miss  Crabtree,  "  never  in  my  life 
have  I  seen  a  being  like  her ;  she's   only  been   to 


CKAKTEU    OAK.  409 

meeting  ouce,  she's  all  tlie  time  in  Nancy  Clark's 
conipanj'-,  and  yet  she  isn't  a  bad  girl.  Oh,  if  my 
Joe  can  only  make  her  own  the  covenant  'twill  take 
away  some  of  her  pride,  and  I  think  she  may  yet 
gof  ten  towards  him ;  but  Lord  deliver  her  from  Nancy 
Clark."  These  remarks,  made  in  undertones,  did 
not  reach  the  ears  of  Colonel  Goffe,  who  with- 
out uttering  a  word,  had  seen  his  daughter  leave 
his  side.  But  quietly  as  he  sat,  and  apparently 
unconcerned  about  every  thing  around  him,  he 
began  to  have  secret  fears  that  some  evil  was 
impending.  Certainly,  Lydia  had  been  very  unlike 
herself  during  the  last  hour,  yet  it  was  not  on  his 
own  account  that  he  felt  anxious.  He  was  old  and 
infirm — what  if  he  were  discovered  and  brought  to 
trial  ?  But  ever  since  his  daughter  had  revealed 
who  it  was  that  she  loved,  he  had  felt  much  con- 
cerned about  Wadsworth,  who  w^ould  be  made  to 
suffer  dearly  if  Andros  should  find  out  that  one  of 
the  regicides  was  concealed  under  his  roof. 

"  Am  I  not  bound  to  seek  some  other  hiding- 
place  ?"  he  asked  himself.  "  If  I  remain  here  what 
trouble  may  I  not  bring  on  my  kind  host  ?" 

Leaving  him  thus  soliloquizing,  we  will  follow 
the  girl  into  the  library. 

As  soon  as  the  door  closed,  Wadsworth  motioned 
her  to  a  seat,  then  after  walking  several  times 
up  and  down  the  room,  "  1  wish,  Miss  Goffe,"  h€ 


4:10  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

said,  "  to  Tepeat  what  I  told  you  but  a  short  while 
ago — have  no  fears  for  your  parent ;  the  watch, 
instead  of  two,  will  henceforth  consist  of  four,  who 
will  be  posted  during  the  day  as  well  as  the  night. 
I  expect  Adams  in  a  few  moments,  when  he  and  I 
will  accompany  the  guard  to  the  watch-towers,  and 
rest  assured  T  will  impress  on  their  minds  the  ne- 
cessity for  increased  vigilance.  Now,  with  such 
precautions,  it  will  be  unnecessary  to  go  back  to  the 
wilderness  ;  Hartford  is  a  safe  enough  place,  and  I 
would  lay  down  my  life,  and  so  would  every  mem- 
ber of  my  train-band,  before  Andros  should  arrest 
your  father.  Therefore,  I  repeat,  dismiss  all  anxi- 
et}^,  and  let  this  roof  continue  to  shelter  you  both. 
I  only  wish  I  could  make  it  a  more  agreeable 
home." 

"  Oh,  do  not  say  that,"  exclaimed  Lydia,  heed- 
less of  the  finger  which  Wads  worth  was  pressing 
against  his  lips,  for  he  did  not  wish  their  conversa- 
tion to  be  heard  ;  "  you  have  done  only  too  much, 
generous  man  that  you  are.  May  the  Almighty 
bless  you,  and  since  you  counsel  us  to  remain  here, 
we  shall  do  so.  My  father  does  not  know  he  is 
discovered,  and  I  need  not  tell  him." 

While  Lydia  was  speaking,  her  pale  cheeks  had 
got  back  their  color,  and  heedless  in  her  excite- 
ment of  what  she  was  doing,  she  had  seized  one  of 
Wadsworth's  hands  and  was  now  pressing  it  in  hers. 


CHAETER   OAK.  411 

She  felt  that  all  depended  upon  him  ;  he  had  Iho 
power  to  protect  her  father,  and  as  she  gazed  at 
his  stern  countenance,  which,  for  some  reason  she 
could  not  fathom,  was  partly  turned  aside,  she  re- 
gretted ever  having  unfavorably  compared  hiir 
with  the  handsome  but  treacherous  Henry  Synnot- 
tor  Lydia  did  not  for  an  instant  doubt  it  was  the 
British  officer  who  had  discovered  her  father's  hid- 
ing place.  Her  ho^  made  no  effort  to  free  himself 
from  her  grasp,  yet  not  a  w^ord  did  he  speak  which 
might  reveal  the  struggle  wdthin  him,  and  his  face 
was  still  averted  w^ien  there  came  a  knock  at  the 
door,  and  presently  Adams  entered.  No  sooner 
did  the  tavern-keeper  behold  Lydia,  than  a  look  of 
anger  crossed  his  countenance — he  had  come  to 
have  a  frank  talk  wdth  his  chief,  and  this  he  could 
not  w^ell  do  in  her  presence. 

"  Pi'ay,"  remain  said  Wadsworth,  motioning  the 
gill  to  keep  her  seat,  for  she  had  risen  to  depart, 
"  Adams  has  come  to  speak  of  matters  wdiich  you 
may  as  well  hear,  since  they  concern  your  fathei's 
safety  ;  yes,  stay  a  feW'  minutes  longer." 

"  Well,  so  be  it,"  growled  the  publican,  tapping 
the  hilt  of  his  dagger,  "  and  learn  that  we  mean 
lasiness.  Then  bending  over  Lydia,  and  dropping 
his  voice  as  if  he  did  not  wish  Wadsworth  to 
hear — "tell   that  villain,"  he  whispered,  "not  to 


412  ROMANCE   OP  THE 

show  himself  agfiin  in  Hartford ;  if  he  does,  Andres 
will  have  one  spy  the  less  !" 

As  he  spoke  a  grim  smile  played  on  his  counten- 
ance, then  drawing  out  the  poignard,  he  aimed  it 
at  his  heart.  Lydia  understood  what  he  meant, 
and  although  Synnot's  conduct  had  been  of  the 
basest,  it  made  her  shudder  to  think  of  the  officer's 
fate,  were  he  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  unforgiv- 
ing Adams. 

•*  Come,  come,"  exclaimed  the  Captain,  touching 
his  scout  on  the  shoulder ;  "  come,  speak  out,  no 
whispering.  Whom  are  you  threatening  ?  Nat 
Clark?" 

Simon,  still  laughiag  giimly,  replaced  the  weaj^on 
in  its  sheath,  then,  instead  of  replying,  went  on  to 
inform  Wads  worth  that  the  guard  were  waiting 
outside. 

"You  see,"  said  the  chief  of  the  train-band, 
turning  and  addressing  Lydia  ;  "  you  see  the  pre- 
cautions which  I  am  taking.  A  surprise  is  next  to 
impossible,  and  this  indefatigable  fellow,"  -  here  he 
pointed  his  thumb  at  Adams — "  is  such  an  excellent 
scout  that  I  can  always  know  when  the  enemy 
leaves  Boston." 

*'  Yes,  but  your  scout.  Captain,  is  half  inclined 
to  cliange  his  tactics,"  growled  the  publican,  again 
touching  his  dagger  ;  "  if  more  of  this  were  used, 
Andros  would  not   be  so  well  informed  about  our 


CHARTER   OAK.  413 

affairs  ;"  then  once  more  bending  over  Lydia,  "  let 
that  spy  l);^ware  !" 

"  Enongli,"  said  the  girl,  "  enough,  do  not  add 
to  my  misery,  Adams  ;"  then  bowing  her  head,  she 
heaved  a  deep  sigh. 

"  Come,  no  threats,"  interrupted  Wadsworth, 
perceiving  the  agitation  of  his  young  guest ;  "  fair, 
open  war,  but  no  murder.  I  intended  to  have  a 
talk  with  you,  Simon,  in  Miss  Ljdia's  presence,  but 
T  perceive  that  you  are  in  no  mood  for  it,  therefore 
let  us  post  the  guard." 

With  this,  he  motioned  the  tavern-keeper  to  de- 
part, then  following  him,  out  left  the  regicide's 
daughter  to  go  or  stay  in  the  room  as  she  saw  fit. 
Lydia,  however,  preferred  to  rejoin  her  father,  and 
having  taken  a  seat  beside  him,  she  made  an  extra- 
ordinary effort  to  assume  her  usual  cheerfulness. 

Meanwhile  Wadsworth  directed  his  steps  towards 
the  watch-tower  at  the  north  end  of  the  town,  and 
which  was  not  far  from  his  house,  and  as  he  went 
along  he  endeavored  to  impress  on  the  four  mus- 
keteers the  necessity  for  increased  watchfulness. 
He  told  them  th(^.  danger  was  not  so  much  from 
Andros'  soldiers — who,  being  foreign  hirelings, 
would  advance  slowly  and  probably  make  no  at- 
tempt to  surprise  the  settlement — but  what  they 
were  chiefly  to  guard  against  were  Indians,  "  whom," 
said  Wadsworth,  "  Andi-os  is  bringing  into  his  ser- 


414  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

vice ;  and  you  all  know  what  these  enemies  are 
capable  of  doing.  Six  hundred  dwellings  were 
burned  by  them  during  King  Philip's  war,  and  it 
was  feared,  at  one  time,  that  every  settlement  in 
New  England  would  be  destroyed." 

"  But  the  Lord  is  with  us  now  as  he  w^as  then," 
exclaimed  one  of  the  guard. 

"Aye,  true, He  is,"  pursued  Wadsworth. 

"  And  He'll  stay  with  us  as  long  as  w^e  keep  our 
matchlocks  dry,"  put  in  Adams,  with  a  faint  grin. 

But  the  others  did  not  fathom  tlie  publican's 
meaning ;  they  had  a  faith  which  would  move 
mountains  and  gave  him  credit  for  having  as  much 
as  themselves. 

Simon  is  right,"  said  Wadsworth,  "let  not  a 
drop  of  rain  moisten  them." 

Presently,  they  reached  a  pine  tree,  standing 
solitary  and  alone  amidst  the  stumps  of  other  trees 
which  had  been  cut  down  and  carried  to  the  saw- 
mill. Here  two  of  the  sentinels  were  posted  ;  then 
having  given  them  a  parting  word  of  caution,  the 
Captain  faced  the  others  about,  and  marched  them 
towards  Wyllys'  hill.  As  they  passed  along  the 
street,  those  of  the  people  who  were  out  at  that 
hour,  spoke  loudly  their  opinion  of  Wadsworth  in 
words  which  could  not  help  but  reach  his  ear. 

"  If  we  don't  keep  our  charter  from  the  clutches 
of  Andros,  'twon't  be  Captain  Joe's  fault,"  said  one. 


CHARTER   OAK.  41^ 

"Aye,  true,"  ejaculated  another,  "but  lie  is 
aiming  at  something  more  than  holding  fast  to  a 
piece  of  parchment.  He'll  not  rest  quiet  till  these 
colonies  have  cut  loose  enth-ely  from  England." 

"He  is  over  sanguine,"  remarked  a  third,  speak- 
ing howe\er  in  a  less  confident  tone  and  evidently 
cither  a  coward  or  lukewarm  in  his  patriotism. 
"Of  course,  I'm  no  King's  man,  but  have  w-e  not  al- 
ready debt  enough  to  pay  ?  where's  the  use  of  plung- 
ing into  a  war  which  w^ould  treble  our  burthen,  and 
when  we've  scarce  recovered  from  the  blow  inflicted 
upon  us  by  the  savages  twelve  years  ago  ?" 

*'  Well,  we  shan't  have  any  w^ar,"  exclaimed  a 
fourth  party.  "  I'm  a  born  son  of  Connecticut,  yet 
for  all  that  I'm  not  willing  to  cut  adrift  from  old 
England,  even  if  I  believed  we  had  the  power — but 
we  haven't  the  power,"  and  he  finished  the  sentence 
with  a  derisive  laugh.  "  Why  look,"  he  continued, 
"  his  majesty  is  at  peace  with  Holland,  and  France, 
and  with  every  other  country,  and  there's  not  a 
ship  in  his  navy  nor  a  trooper  in  his  army  but 
would  be  sent  against  us  poor  colonists  ;  bah  !" 
Here  he  snapped  his  fingers — "  I  for  one,  don't  be- 
believe  in  Captain  Joe." 

The  friends  of  Wadsworth  who  had  faith  in  his 
scheme  of  independence,  made  no  response  to  these 
remarks,  though  their  ears  tingled  with  shame,  and 
had  the  malcontent  daredto  have  uttered  them  at  the 


416  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

meeting,  tliey  would  soon  enough  have  joined  the 
majority  and  voted  to  expel  him  from  the  train- 
band. 

But  at  this  moment  the  man  happened  to  form 
one  of  a  group  of  only  six,  and  so  they  did  not  care 
about  having  angry  words  with  him. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Wadsworth  pursued  his  way, 
careless  of  anything  he  had  overheard,  nor  did  he 
look  either  to  the  right  or  the  left,  but  hurried  as 
rapidly  as  he  could  towards  the  south  end  of  the 
town.  As  they  were  passing  Mr.  Clark's  house, 
Adams  touched  his  chief  on  the  arm,  then  pointed 
towards  the  stoop.  There  with  one  hand  covering 
her  face,  the  keen  west  wind  blowing  upon  her,  was 
a  figure  which  the  Captain  knew  only  too  well. 

"Aye,  I  suspected  her  father  would  cast  her 
adrift,"  said  Wadsworth,  between  his  teeth,  "  for  the 
warning  she  gave  Lydia  Goffe.  Ah,  poor  Nancy  ! 
you're  not  what  the  people  think ;  but  God  will  re- 
ward you." 

In  a  few  minutes  more  they  reached  the  watch- 
tower  on  Wyllys'  hill,  where  the  Captain  made  a 
short  but  impressive  address  to  the  two  guards 
whom  he  was  going  to  leave  there.  "  I  will  visit 
you  to-morrow,"  he  said  in  conclusion,  "  and  you 
shall  be  punctually  relieved  at  sunset.  Kemember, 
my  friends,  we  are  working  for  Liberty  !" 

The  men,  who  were  thoroughly  imbued  with  his 


CHARTER  OAK.  417 

own  spirit,  assured  him  that  they  did  not  mind  in 
the  least  staying  awake  twenty -four  hours,  and  as 
Wadsworth  turned  to  leave,  bade  him  good-bye  in 
cheerful  tones. 

While  they  were  descending  the  hill,  neither 
Adams  nor  his  chief  spoke  a  word.  The  former 
kept  muttering  vengeance,  now  against  Henry 
Synnot,  now  against  those  members  of  the  train- 
band, who,  in  the  meeting  held  at  the  Bunch  of 
Grapes,  had  openly  manifested  their  opposition  to 
the  Captain's  policy,  while  Wadsworth's  thoughts 
turned  upon  Nancy  Clark.  He  was  wondering  if 
she  had  really  been  cast  adrift  by  her  father,  and 
if  so  might  he  not  offer  her  a  home  ;  Lydia  and  she 
were  the  best  of  friends  ;  ought  he  to  mind  his 
aunt's  antipathy  for  the  young  woman,  who,  once 
from  under  her  father's  influence,  he  felt  sure  would 
go  to  meeting  again,  as  she  used  when  her  mother 
had  been  alive,  and  by  her  example  might  induce 
the  regicide's  daughter  to  own  the  covenant  ?  But 
above  aJ],  Nancy's  presence  under  his  roof  might 
act  as  a  2:)owerful  check  upon  himself ;  she  would 
be  a  constant  reminder  of  his  solemn  covenant  with 
the  Almighty. 

The  sun  had  now  been  Cio^su  almost  half  an  hour 
and  they  were  again  w^ithin  a  fe\\  rods  of  Mr. 
Clark's  house,  when  suddenly  they  heard  one  of 
the  guards  cry  out,   "  who   goes  there  ?"   and  in 


418  llOMANCE   OF   THE 

another  moment  the  challenge  was  followed 
by  a  loud  hurrah.  "Foolish  fellows,"  exclaimed 
Wadsworth,  looking  round,  "  to  shout  in  that  man- 
ner, foolish  fellows  !"  "  And  as  I  live,"  said  Sioaon, 
"  if  they're  not  running  from  their  post  to  greet 
somebody  in  the  road;  let's  come  back  Cap'  and 
rebuke  them  for  their  unsoldierlike  behavior,  and 
see  whom  they're  making  such  an  ado  about." 

In  a  few  minutes  Adams  and  his  chief  had  so  far 
retraced  their  steps,  that  the  latter  was  able  to 
recognize  in  the  challenged  party  no  less  a  person 
than  his  friend  Increase  Mather,  and  he  then  re- 
membered having  told  one  of  the  sentinels  that  the 
doctor  might  any  hour  be  expected.  The  reverend 
gentleman  was  seated  on  a  nag,  which  looked  as  if 
it  had  never  had  enough  to  eat,  and  the  jDoor  crea- 
ture was  taking  advantage  of  the  halt  to  stand  on 
three  legs,  while  its  master  was  endeavoring  to 
free  his  head  fi'om  the  moose-skin  covering  which 
enveloped  it,  and  which  was  admirably  adapted  for 
winter  weather.  As  the  doctor's  face  emerged  from 
its  hiding-place,  it  struck  you  at  once  as  that  of  a 
man  of  ambition  and  ardent  temperament,  one  who 
was  conscious  of  his  own  power,  and  with  the  bold- 
ness to  carry  out  whatever  he  might  undertake. 
The  forehead  was  lofty,  the  nose  prominent ;  at  the 
same  time  the  thick  lips  and  fulness  of  habit  in- 
dicated, that  although  he  might  be  a  fanatic,  he 


CHARTER  OAK.  419 

could  BOW  and  tlien  be  jovial  and  sliut  his  eyes  to 
the  follies  of  others,  provided,  of  course,  these  were 
not  too  serious ;  while  if  he  believed  in  witchcraft, 
his  superstition  was  so  tempered  by  good  nature 
that  a  hag  accused  of  being  possessed  would  have 
stood  a  far  better  chance  of  her  life  at  his  hands, 
than  if  she  had  fallen  under  the  judgment  of  his 
son  Cotton. 

Wadsworth,  as  he  drew  near,  was  tempted  to 
follow  the  example  of  the  guards,  and  likewise  give 
a  hurrah  !  But  his  natural  dignity  prevented  any 
such  manifesfation  of  joy,  so  waving  the  men  back 
to  their  posts,  he  grasped  the  clergyman's  hand  and 
gave  it  a  hearty  shake. 

"  Welcome,  welcome  to  Hartford,"  he  exclaimed, 
*'  welcome.  Dr.  Mather.  We  have  been  expecting 
you  these  three  weeks.  Welcome,  welcome !" 
Then  without  waiting  for  a  response,  he  bade  the 
tavern-keeper  hasten  to  the  gTeen  and  have  the 
meeting-house  bell  rung. 

"  No,  no ;  pray  do  not  disturb  the  order  and  i 
quiet  which  reigns  in  the  settlement  at  this  hour,'' 
said  the  traveller,  who,  to  tell  the  truth,  was  in 
dread  of  the  hand-shaking  which  the  enthusiastic 
people  might  subject  him  to.  Wadsworth,  how- 
ever, repeated  the  order,  and  Simon,  who  in  his 
heart  was  anything  but  pleased  by  the  clergyman's 
visit,  (for  he  looked  on  liini  as  the  head  and  front 


420  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

of  the  church  in  New  England,  and  consequently 
the  inspirer  of  many  of  the  laws  which  brought 
discomfort  to  publicans  like  himself,)  proceeded  to 
obey  with  seeming  alacrity,  yet  muttering  words 
which  were  not  at  all  complimentary  to  the 
eminent  man.  After  allowing  his  scout  su£6.cient; 
time  to  reach  the  meeting-house,  Wadsworth  pro- 
ceeded to  inform  the  doctor  that  he  was  going  to 
conduct  him  through  the  town  to  his  own  home, 
"  where,"  he  added,  "  you  must  make  your  head- 
quarters during  your  visit  to  these  parts." 

"But  can  I  not  go  round  by  some  by-way," 
inquired  the  minister. 

"  Oh  no,  the  people  would  never  forgive  me  if  you 
did.  They  are  anxious  to  show  their  regard  for  you ; 
and,  besides,  I  have  reasons  of  my  own  for  wishing 
a  demonstration.  The  king  has  partisans  here, 
not  many,  it  is  true,  but  still  he  has  some  to  whom 
the  shouts  and  the  bell-ringing,  and  the  sight  of 
the  crowd  greeting  you,  will  prove  a  wholesome 
warning." 

"  Well,  well,  as  you  like,-  sir,"  responded  the 
divine,  tapping  his  heels  against  his  horse's  ribs, 
and  causing  the  animal  to  move  slowly  along. 

"But  alas,  Mr.  Wadsworth,  I  fear  governor 
Andros  has  more  friends  than  you  think.  What 
I  have  seen  on  my  journey  from  Boston  has  con- 
vinced me  that  a  great  many  will  not  be  prepared 


CHARTER  OAK.  421 

to  side  with  you  wlien  you  call  to  arms.  And  now, 
let  me  ask,  how  have  things  progressed  in  Connec- 
ticut since  I  last  heard  from  you  ?  Is  the  horizoi; 
any  brighter  ?" 

"  Yes,  it  is,"  replied  the  Captain,  his  eyes  flash  • 
mg,"  and  for  the  very  reason  that  our  troubles 
are  thickening — the  darkness  shows  we  are  near 
the  dawn.  The  news  of  what  Andros  has  been 
doing  in  Massachusetts  and  what  he  threatens  to  do 
in  this  commonwealth,  has  determined  many  to 
side  with  me,  who  might  otherwise  have  remained 
indifferent.  Meetings  have  been  held,  and  I  have 
consulted  numbers  of  influential  men  who  appear 
to  think  my  undertaking  anything  but  fool-hardy." 

"Well,  well!"  continued  Mr.  Mather,  "I  am 
with  you,  heart  and  soul ;  but  I  fear  there  are  not 
enough  bold  spirits  to  make  success  other  than  ex- 
tremely doubtful.  Until  the  hour  comes  to  fight, 
you  cannot  tell  who  is  the  brave  man  and  who  the 
coward ;  not  every  one  who  shouts  for  liberty  is 
willing  to  shed  his  blood  for  it." 

While  they  were  conversing,  the  church  bell  kept 
ringing,  and,  as  we  may  imagine,  it  did  not  take 
long  for  the  news  of  the  great  man's  arrival  to 
spread  through  the  settlement.  Israel  Barebones, 
who  had  been  at  work  chopping  wood  in  his  naked 
feet,  as  a  penance,  quickly  dropped  his  axe,  and 
without  even  waiting  to  pull  on  his  boots,  ran  to  the 


42?i  ROMANCE   OP  THE 

green,  where  he  busied  himself  marshalling  those  who 
were  already  there  in  two  lines,  and  begging  them, 
with  much  swinging  of  his  arms,  to  give  the  minis- 
ter, who  was  approaching,  a  hearty  cheer  as  he 
passed  by — to  which  the  people  agreed,  for  the 
fame  of  their  visitor  was  greater  than  that  of  any 
other  man  in  the  colonies,  and,  moreover,  it  was 
the  first  time  he  had  visited  Hartford  ;  while  Tom 
Hubbard,  who  had  been  taking  a  twilight  walk  with 
the  buxom  Dorothy,  hastened  to  join  the  crowd, 
vowing  that  his  lungs  would  spare  no  wind  to 
honor  the  doctor — but  at  the  same  time  the  lad 
edged  as  close  as  possible  to  the  ruling  elder. 

Now,  be  it  known,  although  Tom  was  at  heart 
not  a  bad  fellow,  he  had  experienced  for  sev- 
eral days  pist  an  irresistible  desire  to  tread  on 
the  good  man's  toes,  and  the  opportunity  which 
here  presented  itself  to  gratify  that  impulse,  seem- 
ed really  too  good  to  be  lost ;  while  his  sweetheart, 
who  guessed  what  caused  the  twinkle  in  his  eye, 
did  not  attempt  to  dissuade  him  from  it,  albeit  Mr. 
^Barebones  has  christened  her  a  Cherub. 

Opposite-  Tom  and  Miss  Philbrick,  we  find  Nancy 

and  Lydia.     The  latter,  whom  we  left  seated  beside 

her   father,  as  soon  as   she ,  had  heard  what  she 

'  supposed  to  be  a  signal  of  alarm,  had  hurried  into 

I  the  street  like  every  body  else,  and  falling  in  with 

her  fiiend  they  had  both  proceeded  together  to 


CHAKTER   OAK.  423 

wards  the  green — wliere  they  have  arrived  just  in 
time — for  Mr.  Mather,  with  Wads  worth  holding  the 
bridle  of  his  nag,  is  now  almost  upon  them. 

"Now,  then,  three  cheers  for  the  learned  and 
glorious  Increase  Mather  !"  cried  Israel  Barebones, 
as  soon  as  the  minister  had  entered  between  the 
rows  ;  and  at  once,  as  if  with  one  voice,  the  crowd 
gave  a  cheer  which  might  have  been  heard  for  a 
mile  ;  the  sexton  pulled  at  the  bell-rope  tilJ  his  face 
became  as  red  as  a  turkey  gobbler ;  while  Miles 
Standish  joined  the  chorus,  his  sharp  bark  taper- 
ing off  in  a  prolonged  howl.  Suddenly,  in  spite  of 
their  promises,  the  people  began  to  leave  the  ranks 
where  they  had  been  placed — in  another  moment  all 
was  confusion,  first  one,  then  two,  then  three  rushed 
forward.  Now  was  Tom  Hubbard's  chance ;  the 
ruling  elder  was  swinging  his  arms  about  like  a 
windmill,  vainly  endeavoring  to  restore  order — ^yes, 
now  was  Tom's  chance.  So,  quickly,  and  with  a 
hard  stamp,  the  lad  brought  one  of  his  heels  down 
on  Mr.  Barebones'  right  foot,  then  shouting  with 
all  his  might,  *•  hurrah  for  Dr.  Mather  !"  he  dragged 
Dorothy  off  through  the  crowd,  which  m  as  too  ex- 
cited to  pay  any  attention  to  the  groans  of  the  poor 
man,  who  had  sunk  on  liis  knees  as  if  he  had  been 
shot.  The  minister  had  long  gone  past  when  Mr. 
Barebones  rose  from  the  ground,  and  when  he  did 
he  was  obliged  to  beg  somebody  to  help  him  home  ; 


IIOMANCE    OF   THE 

a  word  of  complaint  escaped  his  lips,  and 
although  he  shrewdly  guessed  who  had  committed 
the  cruel  deed,  he  dismissed  all  idea  of  reproving 
Tom  Hubbard. 

"  Let  it  be  taken  as  a  punishment,"  he  groaned, 
"for  the  scandal  I  gave  at  the  husking— Oh,  wel- 
come, bruise!" — here  he  gazed  at  his  bleeding 
foot.  '*  How  much  better  to  have  my  skin  and 
sinews  mangled  while  on  earth,  than  have  body  and 
soul  wrapped  in  hell  fire  hereafter." 


END  OF  YOLUKJ? 


ROMANCE 


OF  THE 


CHARTER    OAK 


A  Picture  of  Colonial  Times 


By  WILLIAM  SETON.  LL.D. 

Author  of  Pride  of  Lexington,    Rachel's   Fate,    The   Pioneer,    The 
Shamrock  Gone  West,  Poor  Millionaire,  &c. 


NEW  EDITION 


NEW   YORK 

O'SHEA  &  COMPANY 

10  BARCLAY  STREET 


ROMANCE 

OP  THE 

CHARTEE    OAK 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

It  ^ov\d  he  diflScult  to  describe  the  feehngs  of 
Nancy  Clarii  when  she  turned  her  back  on  her  fa- 
ther, resolvea  tit  last  to  serve  no  longer  the  ene- 
mies of  her  cGxmiiy.  She  left  him,  as  we  remem- 
ber, immediately  -xitev  the  drill,  and  as  she  hasten- 
ed towards  Wadsworth's  house,  where  she  hoped 
to  find  Lydia,  and  ^A^arn  her  of  the  danger  which 
menaced  the  regicide,  her  countenance  wore  a  look 
brighter  than  it  had  in  years,  yet  at  the  same  time 
she  knew  that  she  was  doing  an  act  which  Mr. 
Clark  never  would  forgive.  Nancy  ran  almost  the 
whole  distance,  and  the  violent  knock  which  she 
gave  on  the  door  was  answered  by  Miss  Crabtree, 
whose  eyes  widened  with  astonishment. 

"  What  on  earth  have  you  come  here  for  ?"  ex- 
claimed the  dame,  tossing  back  her  top-knot. 

"  Miss  Lydia,  Miss  Lydia,  I  want  to  see  her," 
spoke  Nancy,  undaunted  by  the  other's  look. 

Scarcely  had  she  uttered  the  name  of  her  friend 


6  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

when  the  door  was  slammed  in  her  face.  But  the 
3'oung  woman,  who  had  made  up  her  mind  to  carry- 
out  her  purpose,  hastened  round  to  the  east  win- 
dow, where  Goody  Garhc  was  seated  with  her 
spindle  and  distaff,  and  tapping  upon  it,  just  as 
Miss  Crabtree  was  poking  her  head  into  the  oven, 
Piudence  threw  it  open  and  informed  her  that  they 
themselves  had  only  just  got  home,  and  that  Lydia 
had  not  accompanied  them.  On  learning  this, 
Nancy  hurried  to  the  tavern  where  she  suspected 
Lydia  might  be  found,  perhaps  chatting  with  Jacob 
Japheth,  or  if  the  cobbler  had  entered  the  Bunch 
of  Grapes,  then  watching  from  a  short  distance 
ine  proceedings  of  the  meeting.  She  did  not 
dream,  however,  that  she  would  discover  Lydia 
actually  inside  of  the  Ordinary,  mingling  with  the 
noisy  crowd,  for  even  if  her  natural  timidity  might 
not  have  prevented  it,  Nancy  would  not  have  con- 
sidered such  a  place  a  proper  one  for  a  female  to 
enter. 

The  reader  will  likewise  remember  how  she  found 
her  friend  about  to  ascend  the  moderator's  chair, 
encouraged  by  a  number  of  voices,  which  were 
clamoring  for  an  address ;  how  the  regicide's 
daughter  left  the  Ordinary  at  Nancy's  summons, 
then  having  learnt  the  dreadful  news,  weut  back  to 
tell  it  to  "Wadsworth  ;  and  how,  while  awaiting  her 
reappearance,  Nancy  perceived  Mr.  Clark  Avatch- 


CHARTER   OAK.  7 

ing  her,  and  near  him  two  men,  whom  she  recog- 
nized as  the  same  to  whom  slie  had  paid  a  quantity 
of  gold  the  day  before.  Her  father  was  yet  stand- 
ing in  ilie  same  spot,  when  she  turned  and  walked 
in  the  direction  of  her  home,  hoping  that  Lydia 
w^ould  overtake  her,  and  wondering  what  kept  her 
friend  so  long  in  the  tavern.  The  excitement 
which  had  seized  Nancy  the  moment  she  had  de- 
termined to  brave  her  parent's  wrath,  was  now 
graduall}'  passing  away,  and  in  its  place  was  coming 
a  faintness  which  deprived  her  almost  of  the 
strength  to  walk.  The  roof  where  she  had  been 
born,  where  her  dear  mother  had  died,  was  only  a 
short  distance  off,  yet  at  this  moment  it  seemed  as 
if  she  never  would  reach  it,  nor  when  she  got 
there  would  it  be  like  home.  She  was  almost  at 
the  little  gate  when  she  heard  footsteps  behind, 
and  turning  saw  the  widow  Bull,  who  w^as  coming 
from  a  visit  to  Jacob  Japheth,  carrying  in  her  hand 
a  pair  of  shoes  which  the  cobbler  had  been  mend- 
ing. 

"How  slow  your  step  is.  Miss  Clark,"  said  the 
dame ;  "  methinks  the  air  is  crisp  enough,  albeit 
February  is  past,  to  make  such  a  light  body  move 
more  briskly.  Dear  knows,  if  I  was  your  weight, 
I'd  not  have  taken  half  an  hour  to  get  this 
far  !" 

"  At  the  sight  of  the  good-natured  widow,  Xancy 


8  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

halted  and  waited  for  her  to  come  up ;  but  she  had 
no  heart  to  say  anything— in  the  distance  she  es- 
pied her  father  hmping  along,  and  it  would  not  take 
him  many  minutes  to  overtake  her. 

"What  troubles  you,  lonely  one?"  continued 
Mis.  Bull,  speaking  with  difficulty,  for  the  exercise 
had  exhausted  her  breath.  "  One  might  suppose 
you  were  carijing  in  your  heart  a  heavier  burthen 
than  usual.  Oh,  I  know  it,  Nancy  ;  yes,  I  know  it ! 
He's  a  hard  man  to  live  with,  and  I'd  not  be  a 
single  day  with  him  if  I  was  in  your  place,  and  yet 
you've  been  a  martyr  to  him,  just  as  your  poor, 
dear  mother  was." 

The  young  woman  made  no  answer  to  these 
words,  but  shivered  and  said  :  "  Yes,  it  is  cold 
this  evening." 

"  Well,  come  home  with  me  and  read  the  '  Merry 
Wives  of  Windsor,'  "  pursued  the  widow,  pulling 
her  sleeve — "  'twill  bring  the  smiles  back  to  your 
faC/e.  My  house  isn't  so  large  as  yours,  but  I  ven- 
ture to  say  it  is  a  pleasanter  place  to  live  in.  Come, 
you  can  get  home  before  he  shuts  up  for  the  night— 
a  thing,  however,  which  I  never  do — the  latch- 
string  is  always  hanging  outside  my  door." 

"  '  The  Merry  Wives  of  Windsor,'  "  repeated 
Nancy;  "what  a  funny  title  for  a  book.  I  never 
heard  of  it  before." 

"  It's  not  a  book.  Miss  ;  it's  only  one  of  a  nura- 


CHARTER  OAR.  19 

ber  of  tales  containetl  in  a  certain  volume  of  which 
Shakespeare  is  the  author." 

"Shakespeare!"  exclaimed  the  other,  drawing 
back ;  "  well,  if  I  were  to  accompany  you  home,  I 
could  not  read  that  work — it  is  forbidden  ;  and  when 
I  found  it  in  your  hands,  the  day  Ly  dia  and  I  brought 
you  the  invitation  to  the  husking,  I  was  much  scan- 
dalized, and  left  your  cabin  sooner  than  I  otherwise 
might." 

"  Yes,  I  remember  how  you  frowned  on  that  oc- 
casion," rejoined  the  dame  ; — ^but  I  did  not  think 
you  were  in  earnest — I  flattered  mj^self  that  you 
were  more  liberal,  seeing  that  you  do  not  go  to 
meeting  on  the  Sabbath.  I  myself  only  go  because 
I'm  forced,  and  because  our  good  tithing-man  some 
months  ago  begged  me  not  to  break  the  law,  else 
he  would  have  to  report  me  or  lose  his  office.  So 
then.  Miss,  you  are  as  narrow-minded  as  the  rest 
of  the  folks,  eh  ?*'  Here  Mrs.  Bull  clasped  her 
hands.  "  However,  do  as  you  like,"  she  continued, 
'•  about  coming,  only  I  beg  you  do  not  breathe  to 
anybody  the  name  of  Shakespeare  :  they'd  banish 
me  from  the  settlement  if  they  found  out  I  read  his 
works." 

Nancy  promised  to  keep  the  secret,  but  at  the 
same  time  declined  to  accompany  the  widow  to  her 
cabin  —her  father  was  now  close  by,  so  pressing  the 
dame's  hand,  she  waved  her  off. 


16  BnMAXCE   OF  Tfifi 

"  Different  from  other  gals,"  muttered  Mrs.  Bull, 
as  slie  went  on  her  way.  "  If  my  old  man  was 
livin',  I'd  get  him  to  take  her  a  cruise  in  the  Polly 
Ann ;  a  dash  of  salt  spray  would  do  her  good." 

For  a  reason  which  Nancy  could  not  well  explain 
to  herself,  she  preferred  to  meet  her  parent  in  the 
street,  rather  than  within  the  walls  of  the  old  stone 
mansion  ;  perhaps  she  dreaded  the  effect  of  the 
gloom  which  reigned  there — the  open  air,  the  sun- 
beams would  give  her  greater  nerve.  As  he  came 
up,  Mr.  Clark's  sinister  countenance  was  fastened 
upon  her  with  a  stare,  which  had  in  it  an  ominous 
meaning,  and  although  he  was  within  a  few  feet  of 
her  he  did  not  open  his  lips,  but  made  her  a  sign 
to  enter  the  gate  in  advance.  The  young  woman 
obejed,  her  heart  throbbing  violently,  and  her  foot 
was  already  on  the  highest  step  of  the  porch,  when 
suddenly  he  bade  her  halt. 

"Young  woman,"  he  said,  "are  you  guilty  of 
what  I  suspect  ?  have  you  revealed  to  any  one, 
what  I  know  about  the  regicide  ?" 

"  I  have,"  replied  Nancy,  looking  boldly  at  him, 
yet  in  truth  frightened  at  her  own  spirit. 

"  Then  you  have  dwelt  with  me  long  enough  to 
learn  all  my  schemes,  and  when  that  was  done,  you 
have  betrayed  me  ?" 

"  Oh,  father,  my  purpose  had  in  it  no  want  of 
love   for   you !     If   they   came    to   harm  you   and 


CflAKTER   OAK.  11 

I  knew  of  it  in  time,  I  would  warn  you  at  the  risk 
of  my  life.  So  can  you  blame  me  in  your  heart 
for  wishing  to  save  the  father  of  my  dearest  friend  ? 
Oh,  I  beg  you  abandon  those  whom  you  have  served 
only  too  well ;  let  us  both  repent  together.  Be  no 
longer  the  tool  of  the  hateful  Andros  !" 

So  little  prepared  was  Mr.  Clark  for  this  display 
of  spmt,  that  at  first  he  was  taken  aback  and  could 
only  gaze  at  her  wdth  his  pitiless  eye.  But  when, 
after  Nancy  had  done  speaking,  she  covered  her 
face  with  her  hands  and  burst  into  tears,  his  indig- 
nation broke  out. 

"You  have,"  he  exclaimed,  "  dealt  me  a  hard  blow  ; 
I  had  great  plans  laid  out,  and  you  were  to  be  a 
sharer  in  my  glory.  Now,  when  everything  prom- 
ises success,  you  unmask  yourself,  and  I  find  my 
daughter  has  been  a  snake  in  the  grass !  But  that 
shall  not  stop  me — foohsh  !  wicked  girl !"  These 
words  were  spoken  slowly  and  with  terrible  earnest- 
ness, and  when  he  paused  a  moment  the  young 
woman  bowed  her  head. 

"Andros,"  he  continued,  "has  all  the  power  of 
England  at  his  back,  and  I  have  Andros  to  support 
me.  What  care  I  for  Wadsw^orth  and  his  train- 
band ?  Aye,  and  for  all  the  train-bands  in  Con- 
necticut ?  By  heaven !  if  the  regicide  escape  mo 
a  second  time,  he  will  be  captured  if  it  cost  ten 
thousand  pounds." 


12  R0MANC13   Oi^  Tttl'i 

Here  he  placed  his  hand  ou  Nancy's  shonlJer 
and  pushed  her,  yet  not  rudely,  towards  the  edge  of 
the  porch. 

"  Go  !  go  !"  he  said,  "  and  tell  this  to  all  Hartford, 
Tell  them,  too,  that  King  James  is  not  a  shadow  ; 
that  unless  they  give  up  their  charter  they  may 
dearly  rue  their  stubborness.  Go  tell  this  to  those 
who  now  enjoy  your  confidence.  As  for  me— oh 
child,  it  is  hard  to  S23eak  it,  but  after  what  you  have 
done  this  day  I  disown  you,  you  must  seek  another 
home — go  !" 

Then,  without  waiting  to  see  if  she  left  the  stoop 
or  not,  he  turned  and  entered  the  house,  locking  the 
door  behind  him,  while  Nancy  gazed  after  him 
with  a  stupefied  air — she  could  not  realize  all 
at  once  that  she  must  this  very  night  seek  a 
strange  place  where  she  might  pillow  her  head. 
'At  length,  she  turned  and  looked  towards  the 
road,  then  sinking  down  on  the  stoop,  re- 
mained there  until  Wadsworth  passed  by  with 
Adams  and  the  guard — and  she  was  still  in  the 
same  position  when  the  meeting-house  bell  rang. 
The  sound  brought  her  to  her  feet ;  it  was  not  the 
nine  o'clock  bell — what  could  it  mean  ?  might  it  be 
an  alarm  ?  It  was  while  she  was  hastening  toward 
the  green,  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  ringing, 
that  she  met  Lydia,  who  was  hurrying  there  for  the 
same  purpose,  and  by  the  side  of  her  friend  she  re- 


CHAliTER    OAK.  13 

maiiied  while  the  townfolks  were  gathering  to  wel- 
come Dr.  Mather,  and  in  broken  accents  poured 
into  her  ear  her  tale  of  grief. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

After  Dr.  Mather  had  gone  by,  followed  by  the 
noisy,  enthusiastic  crowd,  Nancy  and  her  friend 
watched  them  a  few  minutes,  then  turning  round 
directed  their  steps  to  the  south  end  of  the  town, 

''If  Captain  Wadsworth,"  said  Lydia  "only 
knew  what  your  father  has  done,  he  would  force 
you  to  accept  the  hospitality  of  his  roof ;  though 
Miss  Crabtree  might  scold  till  her  topknot  flew  off, 
he  would  not  listen  to  her." 

"  I  believe  you,"  said  Nancy ,"I  believe  you  ;  there 
is  nobody  like  him  in  all  Connecticut !" 

"  Aye,  but  stop,"  interrupted  the  other,  "  while 
he  is  all  that  you  say,  and  while  I  esteem  him  as 
much  as  any  body,  yet  in  a  case  like  yours  'twould 
be  only  an  act  of  charity  to  befriend  you.  There- 
fore, why  not  reconsider  your  purpose  and  accom- 
pany me  to  his  house?" 

"  Not  while  his  aunt  is  there,"  replied  Nancy ; 
"  for  Wadsworth's  own  sake  I  would  not  wijeli  his 
relative  annoyed.  She  cannot  overcome  her  dis- 
like for  me." 


14  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

Presently,  they  came  to  Little  river — now  al- 
most free  from  ice,  and  whicli  tlie  melting  snow 
had  caused  to  rise  far  above  its  usual  level — and 
had  reached  the  middle  of  the  bridge  when  they 
perceived  a  dark  object  moving  swiftly  down  tlie 
current — perhaps  it  was  the  limb  of  a  tree  or  a  log 
from  the  saw-mill.  Suddenly,  Nancy  clasped  her 
hands  and  uttered  an  exclamation  of  grief. 

"Why,  don't  you  see,"  she  said,  in  reply  to  her 
friend's  inquiring  look,  "it  is  the  ducking-stool.  I 
feared  the  rope  would  not  hold  till  spring ;  see,  the 
willow  to  which  it  was  fastened  is  half  buried  by 
the  freshet — too  bad,  too  bad !" 

At  these  words,  Lydia  drew  back,  and  gazed  at 
Nancy  with  an  expression  more  of  pity  than  of 
anger.  But  in  another  moment,  throwing  her  arms 
around  her  neck — "  never  mind,"  she  said,  "  never 
mind  ;  I  shall  always  love  you,  no  matter  what  you 
may  think  about  ducking-stools  and  whipping- 
posts ;  but  for  you,  my  father  would  soon  have  been 
in  the  power  of  Andros."  Then  giving  her  an  em- 
brace, she  hurried  her  across  the  bridge  towards 
the  widow  Bull's  cabin,  where  Nancy,  after  having 
refused  to  go  to  "Wadsworth's,  had  finally  consent- 
ed to  seek  refuge.  "While  they  were  drawing  nigh 
the  house,  it  occurred  to  Lydia.  that  her  friend  and 
Mrs.  Bull  would  be  an  ill-matched  couple  for  one 
roof  to  shelter,  the  widow's  temperament  being  the 


CHABTER   OAK.  15 

reverse  of  Nancy's,  and  there  was  nothing  the  good 
woman  so  much  abhorred  as  the  strict  laws  of  the 
Puritans ;  so  that  unless  out  of  compassion  for  the 
outcast  she  Avould  hardly  brook  an  opinion  favor- 
able to  ducking-stools.  *'  And ^-et,"  thought  Lydia, 
"  is  not  my  friend  inconsistent?  She  never  shows 
herself  at  meeting.  Ciii  her  lukewarmness  have  been 
forced  upon  her  by  Mr.  Clark,  who  is  accused  of 
being  an  Anglican?"  Little  did  the  girl  know  how 
near  the  truth  this  surmise  Avas,  and  had  any  one 
told  her  all  that  Nancy  had  suffered  since  her 
mother's  death,  she  would  have  felt  for  the  young 
woman  even  more  pity  than  she  did. 

Soon  they  reached  the  humble  dwelling  at  the 
extreme  south  end  of  the  town,  occupied  by  the 
good  Samaritan,  who  in  former  days  had  given 
hospitality  to  the  regicide  and  his  daughter.  Mrs. 
Bull  received  them  in  her  usual  bluff,  genial  man- 
ner, then,  before  Lydia  could  utter  a  word,  be- 
gan asking  what  had  caused  the  bell  ringing. 
"  Perhaps,"  she  said,  "  it  was  one  of  Captain  Joe's 
scouts,  bringing  good  news  from  Boston.  Some- 
body rode  past  a  little  while  ago,  with  Mr.  Wads- 
worth  walking  by  his  horse.  Pray,  girls,  what  was 
all  the  hubbub  about  ?" 

"In  so  far,  as  it  was  somebody  from  Boston,"  re- 
plied Lydia,  "  you  are  right ;  Dr.  Mather  has  come. 
But,  whether  he  is  the  bearer  of  good  tidings  or 
bad,  is  more  than  we  can  say  " 


16  EOMANCK  OF  THE 

"  Humph  !  and  it  was  to  do  him  honor  then,  that 
the  folks  were  called  out  of  their  houses,  and  such 
a  hulla-buUoo  made?"  continued  the  widow. 
"  Well,  well,  well,  I'm  glad  I  stayed  in  doors,  frying 
my  bacon."  Nancy  was  about  answering  the  good 
womau,  and  telHng  her  tliart  the  minister,  for  the 
bold  stand  he  had  taken  in  favor  of  the  colonies, 
well  deserved  such  a  reception,  when  Lydia  made 
her  a  sign  to  hush. 

"  Do  not,"  she  whispered,  "  begin  thus  early  to 
disagree  with  the  dame."  Then  turning  towards  the 
latter,  "  I  have  come  hither,  good  woman,"  she  said, 
"on  a  strange  errand;  nothing  less  than  to  ask 
shelter  for  my  friend" — at  these  Avords  she  clasped 
Nancy's  hand. 

"  Oh  !  indeed  !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Bull,  whose  curi- 
osity to  learn  what  had  happened  quite  overcame 
her  power  to  say  anything  more— "oh,  oh,  indeed." 
Then  motioning  them  both  to  a  bench,  she  placed 
her  hand  behind  her  ear  and  began  listening  with 
wrapt  attention  to  what  Lydia  went  on  to  relate. 
Out  of  respect,  however,  for  the  feelings  of  her 
friend,  the  regicide's  daughter  spoke  not  an  unkind 
word  of  Mr.  Clark  ;  she  told  the  bare  facts  without 
any  comment,  while  Nancy  bowed  her  head  and  let 
the  tears  drop  on  her  lap. 

When  she  had  finished,  the  widow — whose  faco 
h^^d  been   gradually  getting   redder  and  redder — 


doubled  up  her  fat  fist  and  was  on  the  point  of  call- 
ing Mr.  Clark  a  name  which  would  have  sorely 
grieved  Nancy,  when  Lydia  put  her  finger  to  her 
lips.  Mrs.  Bui]  understood  what  she  meant,  and 
restraining  her  indignation,  exclaimed,  "let  the 
poor,  dear,  blessed  creature  live  with  me  ;  the  house 
is  SQiall,  but  there's  room  enough  for  two,  and 
though  my  means  are  scanty  since — "  here  she 
pulled  from  her  pocket  the  piece  of  tarred  rope, 
and  gave  it  a  kiss — "  since  my  husband  died,  never- 
theless I  have  riches  enough  for  two  ;  so,  consider 
yourself  at  home  here.  Miss  Clark,  consider  your- 
self at  home  ;  and  by  all  the  sharks,  as  my  old  man 
used  to  say,  I'll  break  the  broomstick  over  the  head 
of  anybody  that  comes  here  to  worry  you  !" 

Lydia  now  spoke  a  few  words  to  her  friend,  as- 
suring her  that  she  would  not  let  a  day  go  by 
without  paying  her  a  visit,  then  pressing  a  moment 
the  good  widow's  hand,  left  the  house. 

She  had  proceeded,  however,  scarcely  ten  steps, 
when  Nancy  springing  up  from  the  bench,  hastened 
to  the  threshold  and  called  her  back. 

"Lydia,  Lydia,"  she  said,  "I  want  to  ask  you  a 
favor — it  is  this :  should  you,  as  I  am  certain  you 
will,  hear  people  speak  harshly  of  my  father,  add 
not  to  the  hostile  feeling  against  him  by  any  words 
of  your  own.  Promise  me  this,  I  beg  you;  al- 
though he  turned  me  away  from  home,  I  love  him — ■ 


18  •    ROMANCE  OV  THE 

oh,  yes,  and  I  always  shall.  This  is  all  I  want 
to  say.'' 

Lyclia  stood  musing  a  moment,  then  looking  up 
— "if  I  had  no  father  myself,"  she  replied,  "  I  fear 
even  my  affection  for  you  might  prevent  me  saying 
Yes  to  what  you  have  just  asked.  But  if  you  love 
your  parent  as  I  love  mine,  then  I  can  understand 
your  feelings.  No,  not  by  a  single  word  will  I  add 
to  the  hatred  which  many  have  for  Mr.  Clark.  I 
only  wonder  he  dares  remain  in  Hartford." 

At  this,  Nancy  caught  her  by  the  arm — "  think 
you  he  is  in  danger  ?"  she  said. 

"  Well,  I  have  never  heard  him  threatened,"  re- 
plied Lydia^  "  but  you  know  the  course  he  is  pur- 
suing may  bring  him  into  trouble." 

"  Oh,  yes,  and  I  am  to  blame  for  it,"  sighed  the 
other.  "Had  I  taken  my  present  stand  earlier, 
who  knows,  perhaps  dear  father  might  have  aban- 
doned the  service  of  Dudley  and  Andros.  Oh, 
God,  pardon  me! — how  weak,  how  foolish  I  have 
been  !" 

"  Well,  do  not  grieve  so  much  about  it,"  said 
Lydia,  as  she  saw  the  tears  in  her  friend's  eyes ; 
"you  may  yet  bring  him  around  to  the  side  of  the 
colonies." 

"  I  will  do  all  I  can,"  sobbed  Nancy ;  "  but  you 
have  aroused  a  horrible  fear  in  my  breast — my  fa- 
ther's hfe  may  be  in  danger ;  do  in  time  give  me 


CHAKTER   OAK.  19 

warniiig.  Oh,  do !  Harsh  as  he  is,  I  am  his  child, 
and  jou  know  I  love  him.  Oh,  go  not  hence  till 
jou  promise  me  this." 

"  I  promise,"  answered  Lydia,  recalling  at  that 
moment  the  fierce  look  of  Simon  Adams,  when 
he  had  pointed  the  dagger  at  his  heart  in 
Wadsworth's  study  only  an  hour  before.  "  Much 
as  I  love  New  England  and  hate  King  James  and 
his  tyrant  governor,  I  al^hor  an  assassin,  and,  more- 
over, but  for  you  my  ovv^n  dear  father's  life  might 
have  been  forfeited.  So,  come  what  may,  I  will  re- 
main your  friend."  With  this,  they  bade  each  other 
good-night,  and  Nancy  re-entered  the  widow's 
cabin,  thanking  God  for  having  sent  her  in  her 
sore  distress  such  a  staff  to  lean  upon  as  Lydia 
Goffe. 


CHAPTEK  XXIV. 

The  arrival  of  so  distinguished  a  guest  as  Doc- 
tor »Mather,  threw  Miss  Crabtree  into  a  condition 
bordering  on  hysterics. 

"It's  quite  took  my  breath  away,"  she  said  to 
Prudence  Garlic,  after  the  ceremony  of  introduction 
had  been  gone  through  with,  and  while  her  nephew 
was  ushering  the  minister  into  the  study.     "  Lord, 


20  BOMANCE   OF   THE 

how  the  folks'Jl  crowd  here  to-morrow.  I'm  awful 
proud !"  Then,  with  a  frown,  she  asked  where 
Ljdia  was. 

"  The  ghl  ran  out  to  learn  the  cause  of  the  bell- 
ringing,  and  hasn't  come  back.  I'd  have  followed 
her  and  kept  her  in  sight,  if  I  hadn't  been  so  tii'ed 
looking  at  the  drill,  for  her  expression  alarmed  me  ; 
she  looked  as  if  she'd  heard  some  dreadful  news." 

Miss  Crabtree  shook  her  head.  "  Aye,"  mutter- 
ed the  dame,  "  there's  evil  in  the  Avind ;  depend 
upon  it,  there  is.  The  girl  is  changing  for  the 
worse  every  day.  She  won't  go  to  meeting  ;  she 
has  hardly  spoken  to  me  once  this  Aveek ;  and  as 
for  Wadsworth — she  acts  so  strangely  towards  him 
that  I  almost  think  he's  quite  given  her  up.  But 
it's  his  fault ;  I  begged  him  not  to  let  Nancy  Chirk 
come  to  the  husking  ;  her  evil  eye  has  done  it  all." 

"  Well,  we  can  pray  for  the  dear  child,"  said 
Goody  Garlic,  who,  although  she  felt  no  small  anx- 
iety about  her  charge,  was  never  willing  openly  to 
find  fault  with  her.  "  I  myself  am  a  good  deal  to 
blame  ;  yes,  I  am,  I  am  ;  oh  Lord,  forgive  me  for 
having  let  that  stranger  kiss  her.  But  I  will  pruy 
for  the  dear  child,  I  will." 

"  Well,  praying  won't  do  no  harm,'  returned 
Charity,  closing  the  oven  door  with  a  slam  ;  "  but 
a  scolding  would  be  worth  a  dozen  prayers.  Ala^! 
I  fear  she's  ruined.*' 


CHARTER  OAK.  21 

"  I  say  she  ain't,"  rojoined  Prudence,  nettled  by 
these  last  words ;  "let  lier  alone,  don't  be  asking 
her  where  she's  been  every  time  she  comes  in  from 
a  walk  ;  don't  teaze  her  so  about  going  to  meeting. 
Indeed,  'twould  have  been  better  if  you  had  fol- 
lowed my  advice  and  not  spoken  to  Colonel  Goife 
about  her  marrying  your  nephew.  Love  matters 
ahvays  work  better  when  third  parties  don't  med- 
dle." 

"  Humph  !  your  affection  for  the  girl  has  blinded 
you  to  her  faults,"  pursued  Miss  Crabtree  ;  "  I 
wish  our  ruling  elder  had  her  in  charge.  But  mark. 
Prudence,  mark,  if  she  doesn't  alter  her  w^ays  and 
go  to  meeting  on  the  Sabbath,  it'll  be  the  tithing- 
inan's  duty  to  report  her.  He  can't  much  longer 
malwe  his  blind  eye  an  excuse  for  not  knowdng 
whether  she's  there  or  not.  Oh!  Jacob  Japheth, 
you  too  belong  to  tlie  tribe  of  soft  hearts  !  But, 
thank  God,  Israel  Barebones  dwells  amongst  us. 
He  will  stir  up  the  people  and  have  cages  for  sab- 
bath-breakers placed  at  the  entrance  of  our  two 
meeting-houses  ;  just  as  the  good  folks  at  Ipswich, 
Massachussetts,  have  done.  Now,  how  would  you 
like  to  see  Miss  Lydia  put  in  such  a  thing,  eh  ?" 
As  she  spoke,  the  dame  gave  a  savage  grin. 

"  I'd  get  her  out  of  it,  if  I  had  to  tear  every  bit 
of  flesh  off  my  hands,  in  opening  the  bars  !"  re- 
joined Goody  Garlic.     ''  Yes,  indeed  I  would." 


22  ROMANCE   OF  THK 

Her  friend  looked  at  her  a  moment,  tlien  smiled 
pitifully.  "  All !"  pursued  Charity,  "  you've  been 
so  long  in  the  wilderness  that  you  don't  know  oui 
laws.  Why,  Prudence,  if  you  were  to  attempt  such 
a  thing  you'd  be  put  in  the  stocks,  and  if  3'ou  got 
no  worse  punishment  you  might  consider  yourself 
lucky." 

"  Well,  I'd  tear  the  bars  down  if  I  could,  and  then 
they  might  do  with  me  whatever  they  pleased," 
resumed  the  faithful  nurse,  stamping  lier  foot. 

Here  Miss  Crabtree  let  the  matter  drop  ;  it  was 
the  first  time  she  and  her  friend  had  had  the  least 
shadow  of  a  dispute  between  them,  and  the  breach, 
small  as  it  was,  might  grow  wider  unless  she  held 
her  tongue.  So,  for  the  next  quarter  of  an  hour 
she  allowed  Prudence  to  do  all  the  talking. 

Leaving  them  in  this  unpleasant  mood,  we  will 
return  to  Wadsworth  and  his  reverend  guest. 
Heartily  glad  was  the  latter,  when  he  found  him- 
self safe  inside  the  house,  where  the  enthusiastic 
multitude  could  pursue  him  no  farther ;  for,  so 
violent  had  many  of  them  been  in  expressing  their 
adiniration  for  him,  that  his  coat  had  been  dis- 
figured b}'  an  ugly  rip,  while  his  hands  felt  as  if  a 
very  little  more  shaking  would  have  wrenched 
fhem  from  the  joints.  His  pride,  however,  had 
been  much  gratified  by  suchawehome — yes,  very. 
very  much  ;  and  when  Tom  Hubbard — after  doing 


CHARTER  OAK.  2S 

all  the  damage  he  could— had  released  his  hold  on 
the  coat,  the  doctor,  who  had  at  length  got  both 
his  hands  free,  had  raised  them  up  and  solemulv 
blessed  the  lad. 

Wadsworth,  as  soon  as  the  library  door  was 
closed,  helped  the  miuister  take  off  his  torn  vest- 
ment, then  having  rej^laced  it  with  one  of  his  own 
— which  w^e  must  confess  did  not  fit  over  well  the 
doctor's  portly  body— begged  his  guest  to  be 
seated,  at  the  same  time  offering  him  a  pipe. 

"  My  aunt,"  said  he,  "  is  preparing  the  evening 
meal,  'twill  be  ready  soon  ;  in  the  meanwhile  drink 
some  of  my  tobacco.'^ 

The  minister  nodded,  and  in  a  few  minutes  they 
were  both  sending  up  towards  the  ceiling  clouds  of 
smoke,  which  must  have  astonished  the  spiders,  for 
the  Captain  had  never  before,  thus  desecrated  his 
sanctum. 

"  I  believe,"  said  the  divine,  after  watching  in  si- 
lence the  first  wreath  or  two  which  curled  from  his 
pipe,  "I  believe  I  haven't  seen  you  since  last  sum- 
mer when  you  were  on  a  visit  to  Plymouth." 

a  "XYut^"  replied  Wadsworth,  "  and  hi  the  interval 
the  state  of  these  poor  colonies  has  grown  more 
critical.     What  news,  sir,  do  you  brnig  ?" 

"  Nothing  that  is  good.  Captain.     Andros  seems 

*  Driuk  tobacco  a  common  expression  in  those  days  f(»r 
smoke  tobacco. 


"24  ROMANCE  OP  THE 

bent  on  destrojdug  self-government ;  and  in  s:pite 
of  my  efforts  to  prevent  liim,  lias  taken  one  of  our 
meeting-houses  for  Anglican  worship  *  while  the 
troops  whom  he  has  brought  with  him,  are  a  con- 
stant s(Hirce  of  terror  to  the  inhabitants  of  Boston. 
Moreover,  the  display  which  both  he  and  Lady 
Andros  make  in  their  dress,  and  the  coach  in  which 
tliey  drive  about  the  streets,,  is  setting  a  fearful  ex- 
ample of  luxury  to  our  simple  people." 

*'  I  am  glad  of  it,"  said  Wadsworth,  "  such  a 
ruler  will  force  us  to  arms.  Aye,  Dr.  Mather,  we 
must  have  a  revolution.  Our  ruling  elder — a  vener- 
able, pious  man — counsels  against  it ;  says  that  we 
ought  to  trust  in  the  Almighty,  who  in  his  own 
good  time  will  hurl  King  James  from  the  throne. 
But  such  advice  is  not  consonant  with  Scripture. 
The  Lord  helps  those  who  dare  help  themselves." 

"  I  have  heard  of  your  ruling  elder.  Captain  ;  his 
name,  I  believe  is  Israel  Barebones — a  man  of  un- 
common godliness?" 

"  Yes,  that  is  his  name  ;  his  influence  with  the 
people  is  very  great.  But  he  shall  not  thwart  me  — 
I  have  a  mission  -I  cannot  turn  aside  ;  no,  the  Al- 
mighty would  abandon  me  if  I  did." 

"Well,  Mr.  AVadswortii,  I  hope  we  may  soon 
have  a  change  in  the  mother  country  ;  I  cannot 
beheve  the  people  of  England  will  long  put  up  with 
such  a  monarch." 

*  Palfrey,  Hist.  N.  E.,  Vol.  3,  P.  521. 


CHAPTER   OAK.  2o 

"Well,  I  siucerely  hope  for  no  such  thing  !"  ex- 
claimed Wadsworth.  "  I  rejoice  at  King  James' 
tyranny — 'twill  fire  the  powder — I  am  aiming  at  in- 
dependence." Dr.  Mather  stared  at  his  host  a  mo- 
aaent,  then  shrugged  his  shoulders,  as  though  he 
doubted  the  wisdom  of  such  an  enterprise.  "  Do 
you  not  give  me  encouragement  ?"  pursued  the 
Captain,  bending  eagerly  towards  him. 

"  You  may  make  the  attempt,  Mr.  Wadsworth,  if 
you  like,"  answered  the  other,  "  and  I  will  give 
you  all  my  support  ;  there  is  something  sublime  in 
the  idea  of  these  colonies  governing  themselves 
and  telling  Europe  to  stand  aloof.  But  as  I  have 
already  remarked,  it  is  not  every  man  who  shouts 
'  hurrah !  for  liberty,'  that  is  ready  to  shed  his 
blood  for  it.  I  doubt  if  we  are  prepared  for  a 
republic,  and  I  truly  believe  the  majority  would 
prefer  to  remain  colonists,  provided  their  lost  rights 
were  given  back  to  them." 

"  I  grieve,  sir,  to  learn  that  such  is  your  opinion," 
said  Wadsworth.  "  You  must  have  seen  many  per- 
sons on  your  journey  hither,  and  doubtless  speak 
knowingly  of  their  sentiments."  Here  the  Cap- 
tain rested  his  elbow  on  the  table,  and  partly  cov- 
ering his  face  Avith  his  hand,  remained  silent  for 
more  than  a  minute,  thinking  deeply  over  the 
v/ords  of  his  reverend  guest.  "  But  if  I  succeed  in 
rousing  the  people,  you  will  stand  by  me  ?"  he  ex- 


26  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

claimed,  suddenly  uncoveriDg   his  face,  and  again 
leaning  towards  the  divine. 

"  Oh  yes,  that  I  will.  Increase  Mather  is  no 
lover  of  Bishops  or  Kings  ;  your  idea,  I  repeat, 
is  sublime ;  and  although  my  faith  in  its  success 
may  not  be  as  great  as  your  own,  yet  no  word  or 
deed  of  mine  shall  be  an  obstacle  in  your  path. 
On  the  contrary,  may  the  Lord  strengthen  your 
arms,  and  in  the  day  of  battle  hold  them  up,  even 
as  Hur  and  xiaron  supported  the  arms  of  Moses 
when  he  led  the  children  of  Israel  against  Ama- 
lec." 

For  a  few  minutes  there  was  a  lull  in  the  conver- 
sation, during  which  the  clergyman  went  on  drink-, 
ing  his  tobacco,  and  at  the  same  time  studying  at- 
tentively the  face  of  his  host,  which  struck  him  as 
being  thinner  and  paler  than  when  he  had  seen 
him  last. 

"  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  he  said  at  length,  taking  the 
pipe  fi'om  his  mouth  and  lajing  it  on  the  table, 
"you  ought  to  get  a  wife." 

Had  the  minister  risen  up  aod  dealt  the  Cap- 
tain a  blow  with  his  fist,  the  effect  could  scarcely 
have  been  greater  than  that  produced  by  this  un- 
looked-for speech.  Wads  worth's  hand,  which  just 
then  was  pressing  his  brow,  dropped  as  if  paralyz- 
ed—his eyes  seemed  to  recede  into  liis  head — his 
inw  fell.     "  Indeed  you  ought,"  pursued  IncreasQ 


CHARTER   OAK.  27 

Mather,  not  iniiuliug  in  the  least  the  dumbfounded 
expression  of  bis  host.  "  A  good  wife  would  make 
you  sleep  sounder  at  niglit.  I  know  it  is  organiz- 
ing this  conspiracy  against  Andros,  which  has  made 
,  you  like  the  ghost  of  your  former  self.  Beware, 
(^aptain,  b(^ware  !" 

"  Marry  ?"  exclaimed  Wadsworth,  recovering  a 
little  from  .his  bewilderment — "  me  take  a  wife  ?  It 
cannot  be !" 

"  And  pray,  why  not,  sir  ?  Have  you  proposed 
to  all  the  maidens  in  Hartford,  and  have  they  all 
refused  you?" 

Here  Doctor  Mather  laughed.  But  Wadsworth 
groaned,  and  folding  his  arms,  cast  his  eyes  upon 
the  floor,  repeating  half  aloud,  "It  cannot  be,  it 
cannot  be ;  no,  no,  I  must  keep  my  vow."  At 
these  words  the  minister's  face  became  grave.  Was 
his  host  the  victim  of  some  hallucination?  Had 
his  mind  already  been  throAvn  oif  its  balance  by  a 
too  intense  devotion  to  one  great  idea  ? 

'•  What  a  pity  !"  thought  the  clergyman,  who 
during  the  five  or  six  years  that  he  had  known 
Wadsworth,  had  always  admu-ed  him,  "  what  a 
pity !"  At  this  moment  his  host's  countenance 
was  violently  agitated,  different  passions  seemed  to 
be  contending  for  the  mastery.  Now,  the  heavy 
eyebrows  would  contract — then  his  forehead  would 
iuddenly  become  smooth  again  ;    at   another  in- 


28  IIOMANCE    OF   THE 

stant  a  groau  would  escape  him,  then  the  Hps  would 
be  pressed  firmly  together,  and  a  dark  look 
overspread  his  face.  At  length  bowing  down 
his  head  until  it  rested  on  the  table  :  *'  Lord, 
Lord  !"  he  murmured,  "  give  me  strength  to  keep 
mj  covenant  with  Thee  !  Satan  begone  !"  and  as 
Wadsworth  spoke,  he  clenched  his  fists  as  if  to 
strike. 

"  My  dear  friend,"  said  the  doctor,  in  a  voice 
which  betrayed  much  uneasiness,  "  when  you 
greeted  me  a  short  hour  ago  at  the  entrance  of  the 
town,  you  appeared  sane  enough  ;  pray,  what 
has  come  over  you  since  then?  are  you  mad  ?" 

"  No,  no,  I  am  not,"  exclaimed  Wadsworth,  lift- 
ing his  head,  '*  I  am  not  mad." 

"  But  you  are  suffering — I  know  it — I  can  read  it 
in  your  countenance." 

"  Suffering  !  oh,  I  am  indeed," — and  as  Wads- 
worth uttered  these  words,  there  was  in  his  tone  a 
dejDth  of  melancholy  which  filled  the  reverend  gen- 
tleman with  pity — "  and  I  will  suffer  on  to  the  end  ; 
my  vow  shall  not  be  broken." 

'  "  Pray,  sir,"  continued  Mr.  Mather,  drawing 
his  chair  nearer ;  "  tell  me  what  was  your  vow  ? 
Mayhap  'tis  that  which  has  caused  you  to  be- 
come like  unto  a  ghost.  The  devil  at  times  tempts 
us  to  do  rash  things — making  us  believe  we  are 
serving  the  Almighty,  and  all  in  order  to  get  us 


CHARTER   OAK.  29 

more  firiiii}'  in  his  clutches."  For  more  thau  a  min- 
ute Wadfc: worth  did  not  answer.  At  length,  looking 
full  at  the  minister  the  very  fixedness  of  his  gaze 
marking  the  struggle  which  it  cost  him  to  lay  bare 
his  heart — "you 'must  know  sir,"  he  replied,  "that 
some  years  ago,  I  fell  in  love  with  a  young  woman 
named  Nancy  Clark.  Her  mother  was  a  gentle  soul, 
and  a  member  of  our  first  church.  Her  father,  who 
is  still  living,  is  a  bad  tempered  man,  and  has  never 
concealed  his  partiality  for  the  Anglican  form  of 
worship.  This  difference  in  religious  belief  was  a 
source  of  great  unhappiness  to  his  wife,  and  I  be- 
lieve it  was  that  which  brought  her  to  her  grave. 
Well,  as  I  have  said,  I  fell  in  love  with  their 
daughter — the  only  child  they  had.  I  used  to  take 
long  w^alks  with  her  in  the  evenings ;  I  made  her 
presents  ;  I  even  told  her  I  wanted  her  to  become 
my  wife — once,  but  only  once — I  kissed  her  !" 
Here,  Wadsworth's  voice  faltered,  but  by  a  strong 
effort  he  suppressed  any  other  sign  of  emotion. 

"  Well,  it  was  just  about  that  time  that  I  began  j 
turning  my  thoughts  to  the  affairs  of  the  colonies. 
The  self-government  which  we  enjoyed  did  not 
satisfy  me  ;  I  pondered  deeply  over  our  condition, 
and  at  length  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  we 
ought  to  cut  loose  from  the  mother  country.  Well, 
from  the  moment  that  idea  entered  my  mind  I  felt 
like  another  being.     A  fever  seemed  to  seize  me ; 


30  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

my  arm  was  strengtlieiied  ten-fold  ;  my  ambition 
grew  with  m}^  streDgtli.  The  ^dsiou  of  America 
governing  herself  arose  before  me  in  a  more  vivid 
way  than  I  can  describe.  I  lived  in  ecstasy  during 
my  waking  hours  ;  at  night  my  sleep  was  a  heavenly 
dream.  But  I  recognized  the  difficulty  of  achiev- 
ing such  an  end,  and  I  spoke  to  Nancy  Clark  about 
it.  At  first,  she  did  not  appear  struck  l)y  its 
grandeur.  It  grew  upon  her,  however,  yes,  it  grew 
upon  her,  until  soon  she  v/as  as  full  of  enthusiasm 
as  myself.  Well,  one  morning  after  having  passed 
a  strange  night — I  call  it  strange  because  I  could 
not  tell  whether  I  had  been  asleep  or  awake — I 
found,  on  entering  this  room,  a  map  of  North 
America — and  here  it  is." 

As  Wadsworth  spoke  he  produced  the  map  and 
showed  it  to  his  guest.  "  This  discover}^,"  he  con- 
tinued, "  I  took  for  a  certain  sign  that  the  Lord  was 
befriending  me.  'Twas  what  I  had  been  longing 
to  possess.  It  showed  me,  as  you  perceive,  the 
whole  continent.  Well,  after  I  had  examined  it 
with  much  care,  after  I  had  feasted  my  eyes 
upon  it  until  I  scarce  could  see,  I  fell  on  my 
knees  and  began  to  pray ;  and  while  I  was 
praying,  the  thought  flashed  u})on  me  that  I  ought 
to  meet  this  proffer  of  divine  assistance  by 
some  great  sacrifice.  The  Almighty  had  stretched 
out    His    hand — ^what   ought    I    to    do,    to   bind 


CHARTETl   OAK.  31 

the  covenant  ?  And  then  I  said,  '  Oli  Lord,  if 
Thou  wilt  indeed  help  me  free  my  native  land,  I 
will  renounce  the  object  most  dear  to  me  on  earth 
— aye,  I  will  give  up  Nancy  Clark,  nor  will  I  ever 
take  any  other  woman  for  my  wife.'  Well,  from 
that  day  to  this,  by  mutual  consent,  I  have  avoided 
her  and  she  has  avoided  me  ;  and  although  I  have 
now  and  then  been  tempted  to  renew  our  former 
intimacy,  saying  a  short  prayer  has  alwa^^s 
strengthened  me  to  keep  my  word  to  the  Almighty." 
Here  Wadsworth  paused  and  knit  his  brow — he 
was  coming  to  the  hardest  part  of  his  confession. 

"  A  few  weeks  ago,"  he  continued,  "  there  came 
to  my  house,  a  girl  younger  than  Miss  Clark,  with 
far  more  sprightliness  and  enthusiasm,  and  in  face 
and  figure  more  beautiful  than  language  can  ex- 
press— just  the  being  I  could  have  sworn,  if  such 
things,  were  pre-ordained,  to  be  my  wdfe.  Oh,  Dr. 
Mather,  you  cannot  tell  what  a  struggle  I  have  gone 
through  since  her  arrival !  I  meet  her  a  dozen 
times  a  day,  and  as  often  do  I  tremble  and  call  on 
God  for  strength.  But,  as  with  Nancy  Clark, 
prayer  has  overcome  my  passion,  and  beautiful 
though  this  girl  is,  I  will  stay  rooted  to  my  vow  ; 
and  in  return  the  Lord  will  grant  me  the  indepen- 
dence of  my  country." 

When  the  Captam  had  finished  speaking,  the 
doctor  sat  awhile  as  if  digesting  what  he  had  heard; 


32  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

find  when  at  leugtli  he  opened  his  lips,  his  voice 
showed  how  gravely  he  viewed  Wadsworth's  case. 

"  Believe  nie,  sii\"  he  said,  "  the  vow  which  you 
took,  is  not  binding-  —God's  finger  was  not  in  it ;  it 
was  the  work  of  Beelzebub  !  Aye  sir,  you  start — 
but  I  aui  in  earnest ;  the  devil  was  whispering  in 
your  ear  when  you  took  that  vow,  and  this  map 
was  put  here  by  Satan.  And  has  he  not  been  at 
work  on  Nancy  Clark  ? — does  she  show  no  signs  of 
having  fallen  from  grace  ?  When  the  Evil  One  steps 
between  a  couple,  it  is  often  to  the  injury  of  both. 
Tell  me,  sir,  does  the  young  woman  retain  her  for- 
mer godliness  ?" 

Wadsworth,  at  this  question,  shrank  back  from  the 
table.  It  flashed  upon  him  that  perhaps  Nancy's 
absence  from  meeting  on  the  Sabbath  and  lecture 
days  alight  be  indeed  the  Avork  of  the  arch-fiend. 

"Believe  me,"  continued  the  minister, with  greater 
warmth,  and  lifting  his  hand,  "believe  me,  Beelze- 
bub is  stalking  through  the  land ;  more  and  more 
men  and  women  are  falling  under  his  influence. 
Why,  in  Dorchester,  wliere  I  preached  last  month, 
there  were  three  persons  accused  of  witchcraft ; 
and  in  Salem  full  as  many  more,  and  it  will  require 
renewed  fervor  on  the  part  of  the  people  to  arrest  a 
great  calamit}^  When  the  imps  of  hell  begin  to  take 
possession  of  us,  who  know3  where  it  may  end !  But, 
Mr.  Wadsworth,  you  have  not  yet  replied  to  my 


CHARTElt   OAK.  33 

question — wliat  sort  of  a  life  does  this  Nancy  Clark 
now  lead?" 

As  Increase  Matlier  spoke,  he  fixed  his  eye  on 
his  host,  as  if  to  discover  whether  the  answer  which 
he  was  going  to  make  would  he  prompted  by  a  pun 
love  of  truth,  or  whether  some  remnant  of  affection 
for  the  young  woman  might  not  bias  his  words. 

The  struggle  lasted  only  a  moment.  To  tell  how 
Nancy  had  not  for  years  been  inside  a  meeting- 
house, to  describe  her  lonely  habits,  would  be  cer- 
tain to  draw  on  her  the  suspicion  of  the  great  man  ; 
and  had  she  not  alread}^  few  enough  friends  ?  Had 
not  Charit}^  Crabtree  used  her  tongue  among  the 
Hartford  gossips  during  the  past  few  years,  until 
now  there  were  not  wanting  those  who  believed 
the  young  woman  had  sold  herself  to  the  Evil  One. 

"  I  know  nought  against  her,  sir  !"  replied  Wads- 
worth,  folding  his  arms  and  boldly  meeting  the 
clergyman's  gaze. 

"  Then,"  continued  the  latter,  "  I  urge  you  to 
take  her  for  your  wife ;  it  will  be  an  act  of  justice 
to  one  whom,  pardon  me  for  saying  it,  you  cer- 
tainly deceived,  albeit  you  were  led  on  by  a 
supernatural  influence.  New  England  needs  godly 
children,  and  here  you  are  a  man  of  thirty  and  not 
(Hie  in  this  large  house  to  call  you  father  !  Wrong, 
sir,  wrong.  You  could  serve  your  country  better 
if  you  had  a  wife.     So,  toss  to  the  winds  your  sa- 


34  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

tanic  vow,  and  renew  your  courtship.  Nancy 
Clark  fiist  received  your  addresses,  and  this  new 
comer,  whose  beauty  it  seems  is  so  far  superior  to 
hers,  should  not  make  you  hesitate  a  moment — 
Nancy  Clark  must  be  your  spouse." 

Dr.  Mather  expressed  himself  with  intense 
earnestness,  and  Wadsworth  gave  him  au  attention 
which  he  would  have  accorded  to  no  other  living 
man ;  for  in  his  estimation  Increase  Mather  was 
the  greatest  divine  the  world  had  seen  for  centuries, 
and  his  counsel  was  not  to  be  lightly  thrown  away. 

"  Dr.  Mather,"  he  said,  after  a  rather  lengthy 
pause,  "  did  not  Jephthah  vow  to  the  Lord  that  if 
He  would  deliver  into  his  hands  the  childi'en  of  Am- 
nion, then  warring  against  Israel,  that  he  would 
offer  up  for  a  burnt  offering  the  first  wdio  came 
from  his  home  to  greet  him,  as  he  returned  from 
battle?  And  did  it  not  happen  that  Jephthah's 
daughter,  his  only  child,  came  first  to  meet  him? 
And  did  he  not  keep  his  vow  ?  Is  my  sacrifice 
greater  than  Jephthah's  ?" 

At  this  question  the  minister  bit  his  lip,  but 
(juickly  answered  :  "  '  Whoso  findeth  a  wife,  find- 
*  jtli  a  good  thing  and  obtaineth  favor  of  the  Lord,* 
is  likewise  in  Holy  Writ.  No,  no,  Captain ;  the 
covenant  you  made  is  one  you  must  not  keep; 
the  de\il  had  a  hand  in  it.  Therefore,  I  repeat, 
and  most  solemnly,  marry  Nancy  Clark !" 


CnABTKn  OAK.  85 

At  these  words,  Wadswortli's  frame  quivered, 
his  eyes  flashed.  If  indeed  his  vow  was  one  not  to 
be  kept,  could  he  renew  ]iis  addresses  to  Nancy 
while  Ljdia  Goffe  was  under  his  roof? 

"  Yes,"  he  muttered,  "  I  will  take  your  advice, 
ind  marry  ;  but " 

Ere  lie  could  llnisli  the  sentence,  there  was  a 
knock  at  the  door  and  rising  from  his  seat,  he  has- 
tened to  open  it— he  knew  whose  finger  had  tapped. 
"  I  only  want  to  announce  that  sujDper  is  ready," 
said  Lydia,  bliisluiig,  and  at  the  same  time  looking 
at  her  host  with  surprise — for  he  had  caught  her 
arm  and  was  drawing  her  into  the  room — while  the 
blood  which  for  a  moment  colored  her  cheek,  her 
full  rounded  form,  her  countenance  not  only  beau- 
tiftd  but  intellectual,  caused  Increase  Mather  to 
bend  forward  and  gaze  at  her  more  sharply  than 
he  did  at  most  young  women. 

Having  closed  the  door,  Wadsworth  presented 
her  to  the  minister,  and  in  a  low  tone  informed 
him  tluit  she  was  the  daughter  of  Goffe,  the  regi- 
cide. 

"What!"  exclaimed  Dr.  Mather,  "Goffe,  who 
sat  as  one  of  the  judges  at  the  trial  of  Charles  the 
First  ?  Is  this  a  child  of  his  ?" 

Here  Wadsworth  turned  to  Lydia,  from  whose 
lace  every  trace  of  color  had  suddenly  vanished. 
**  Have   no  fear,  Miss,"  he  said,  "  of  my  reverend 


3G  t^OMANCE   OF  THE 

guest ;  I  am  going  to  tell  him  all  about  you  and 
jour  parent." 

The  Captain  now,  in  a  few  words,  related  how  the 
girl  had  come  to  visit  him ;  and  he  concluded  bj 
saying  that  Goffe  was  not  only  alive,  but  actually 
under  his  roof — "  And  when  the  evening  repast  is 
over  you  shall  make  his  acquaintance.  Until  to-day 
he  has  generally  taken  his  meals  with  us,  but — " 
here  he  glanced  at  Lydia,  "  but  since  he  has  been 
discovered  to  be  living  with  me,  I  have  thought  it 
best  that  he  should  not  show  himself  below.  The 
danger  may  pass  over." 

"  Discovered !"  exclaimed  Mr.  Mather,  who  had 
risen  to  greet  the  girl.  "  Discovered  !  what  do 
you  mean  ?"  Wadsworth  now  related  how  that 
very  afternoon  the  regicide's  daughter  had  been 
informed  by  Nancy  Clark  that  her  father's  hiding- 
place  was  known. 

At  the  mention  of  Nancy's  name,  Lydia  inter- 
rupted him.  "  Alas !"  she  said,  "  my  friend  is  al- 
ready suffering  for  that  brave  act.  Mr.  Clark  has 
turned  her  from  home,  and  she  has  sought  refuge 
with  the  widow  Bull." 

Here  Wadsworth  pressed  his  hand  to  his  brow. 
"  Can  I  offer  her  a  shelter  under  my  roof  ?"  he 
asked  himself.  "  Can  I,  can  I  ?"  Had  not  the  ob- 
ject of  his  wild  passion  been  standing  at  this  mo- 
ment by  his  side,  we  believe  that  his  first,  generous 


CHARTER   OAK.  37 

impulse  would  have  prevailed,  and  Nancy  Clark 
have  found  a  happy  home  with  him.  "  But,  no," 
he  groaned,  "  her  presence  would  be  a  torture ; 
if  ni}"  vow  is  one  which  I  am  not  bound  to  keep, 
then  will  I  go  through  fire  to  win  Lydia  Goffe  ;  I 
am  carried  away  by  a  Power  which  I  cannot  resist. 
•God  pity  me !" 

"  This  Mr.  Clark  then  is  a  king's-man  ?"  said  Dr. 
Mather,  who  had  not  noticed  his  host's  agonized 
look. 

"  He  is,"  said  Lydia,  "  and  a  great  stumb- 
ling-block in  the  Captain's  path.  But  you  will 
brush  him  aside,  you  will  triumph" — here  she 
turned  towards  her  protector  and  pressed  his 
hand. 

Her  touch  sent  a  thrill  through  every  nerve  of 
Wadsworth's  body  "  I  will  crush  him  like  a  worm," 
he  exclaimed,  "not  a  hair  of  your  father's  head 
shall  the  villain  touch." 

"  I  lean  upon  you,"  murmured  Lydia,  "  heaven 
bless  you  now  and  always."  Yet  ere  the  words 
had  escaped  her,  she  half  repented  of  her  earnest- 
ness— her  host's  eyes  seemed  to  be  devouring  her 
— she  felt  his  hand  tremble." 

"  Although  I  admire  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  she  said 
to  herself,  "  I  must  not  deceive  him.  He  is  a  great 
man  ;  but  love  him  I  cainiot."  They  now  left  the 
room,  and  as  the  girl  passed  out.  Increase  Mather 


38  Romance  of  the 

thought  that  in  all  his  Hfe  he  never  had  seen  a 
more  fascinating  creature  than  the  regicide's 
daughter. 


CHAPTEE  XXV. 

The  following  morning,  while  Wadsworth  was 
writing  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  Boston,  which  Dr. 
Mather  had  promised  to  deliver,  and  while  Goody 
Garlic  and  Lydia  were  up  in  Colonel  Goffe's  room, 
Miss  Crabtree  seized  the  opportunity  to  hold  a 
private  conversation  with  the  minister.  The  in- 
difference which  Lydia,  almost  from  the  moment  of 
her  arrival,  had  shown  for  her  nephew,  was  more 
than  the  dame  could  any  longer  bear  without  com- 
plaining to  somebody  else  besides  Prudence  Garlic, 
who  from  the  way  she  had  spoken  the  day  before, 
seemed  not  a  little  inclined  to  take  the  girl's  part. 
The  clergyman  was  walking  slowly  back  and  forth, 
his  promenade  bounded  at  one  end  by  the  door 
leading  into  the  entry,  at  the  other  by  the  oven  in 
which  the  old  maid  was  setting  a  batch  of  bread ; 
while  his  hands  were  clasped  behind  him,  and  from 
the  way  he  bent  his  head  he  seemed  to  be  pondering 
deeply  over  some  weighty  matter.  His  knowledge 
of  the  people  of  New  England  was  as  great,  if  not 


CHARTER   OAK.  39 

greater,  tlian  that  Avhicli  "Waclsworth  possessed,  aucl 
while  he  was  stubborn  in  opposing  Andros,  he  jet 
could  not  contemplate  the  scheme  which  his  host 
had  unfolded  to  him,  without  much  uneasiness. 

"  Independence  !"  he  said  to  himself,  "  aye,  that 
is  indeed  a  sublime  idea ;  but  I  am  afraid  the  Cap- 
tain  is  ahead  of  the  age.  What  rivers  of  blood 
would  have  to  flow  to  accomplish  it !  Has  he  re- 
flected on  the  power  which  Sir  Edmund  has  to 
back  him  r  Would  our  train-bands  be  a  match  for 
the  disciplined  warriors  England  would  send 
against  us?— and  she  would  sacrifice  her  last  man, 
spend  her  last  penny  to  keep  us  dependent?  I 
would  have  more  hope  if  the  union  of  the  colonies 
was  what  it  used  to  be.  But  alas,  it  is  noAV 
all  but  destroyed,  and  I  fear  Wadsworth's  attempt 
at  revolution  will  only  end  in  fastening  the  chains 
more  tightly  upon  us."  Here  the  minister  suddenly 
raised  his  head.  "  Nevertheless,"  he  continued, 
"  I  shall  not  oppose  the  Captain ;  it  is  a  sublime  idea 
— a  country  governing  itseK  and  extending  from 
ocean  to  ocean.  Sooner  or  later  his  dream  will 
come  true.  Aye,  Mr.  Wadsworth  shall  have  my 
voice  to  help  him,  albeit  my  judgment  tells  me  the 
time  has  not  come." 

While  he  was  thus  soliloquizing.  Miss  Crabtree's 
grey  eyes  would  now  and  again  glance  towards  him. 
She  felt  a  little  embarrassed  how  to  begin  the  con^ 


40  KOMANCE    OF   THE 

Versatiou  :  yet  she  must  not  delay  too  long ;  her 
nephew,  or  Prudence,  or  somebody  else  might  ap- 
pear at  any  moment,  and  then  her  chance  for  a  pii- 
vate  interview  would  be  gone.  Suddenly,  an  inge- 
nious thought  struck  her.  Opening  the  cupboard, 
she  took  her  dream-book  off  the  top  shelf,  then,  as 
if  by  accident,  let  it  fall  on  the  floor,  and,  as  it  fell, 
exclaimed,  "  Oh  dear,  that's  my  dream-book  !" 

Doctor  Mather  looked  round,  and  with  an  ap- 
proving nod  told  her  he  was  glad  that  she  kept  a 
record  of  her  dreams ;  and  as  he  spoke,  he  stretched 
out  his  hand  and  took  the  manuscript,  which  she 
had  hastened  to  pick  up  and  offer  him. 

"  Oh  yes,  I  believe  in  dreams,  sir,"  said  the  dame, 
smoothing  her  apron  and  feeling  intensely  flattered. 

"  Aye,  good  Avoman,  we  are  surrounded  at  all 
hours,  aAvake  and  asleep,  by  the  supernatural ;  and 
I  am  even  now  preparing  a  work,  of  which  I  shall 
send  you  a  copy  when  completed,  wherein  are  given 
many  remarkable  Providences."  Here  he  glanced 
a  moment  at  the  manuscript,  then  gave  another  ap- 
proving nod.  "  I  am  pleased  to  flnd,"  he  continued, 
"  that  you  once  awoke  out  of  a  dream  in  a  terrible 
flight,  having  heard  a  peal  of  thunder,  and  that 
when  cliided  for  your  screams,  you  declared  that 
the  devil  was  the  author  of  thunder  and  lightning. 
Surely  Satan,  when  he  has  the  vapors  and  mate- 
rials out  of  which  the  thunder  and  lightning  aro 


chahteh  oak.  41 

generated,  has  the  art  to  bring  them  mto  form.  If 
chemists  can  make  their  aurum  fulminous,  what 
strange  things  may  not  the  infernal  chemist  effect  ? 
The  holy  scriptures  intimate  as  much  as  this  Com- 
eth to.  In  the  sacred  story  concerning  Job,  we 
find  that  Satan  did  raise  a  great  wind  which  blew 
down  the  house  wdiere  Job's  children  were  feast- 
ing, and  it  is  said  that  the  fire  of  God  fell  from  the 
heavens  and  burnt  up  the  sheep  and  the  servants. 
This  was  no  doubt  thunder  and  lightning  !"^ 

As  he  had  gone  on  speaking  Miss  Crabtree  had 
felt  more  and  more  flattered,  yet  at  the  same  time 
she  feared  the  learned  minister  might  continue  ma- 
king comments  on  her  dreams — of  which  she  had  a 
record  of  dear  knows  how  many — and  thus  prevent 
her  saying  to  him  what  she  wanted ;  and  he  did  go 
on  and  read  at  least  four  pages  of  her  book,  when 
the  dame  hit  upon  a  second  ingenious  method  of 
drawing  his  attention. 

"  Last  night,  sir,"  she  said,  lowering  her  voice, 
"  I  had  a  strange  vision  about  somebody  who  is 
living  in  this  house.  I  dreamt  about  Miss  Goffe  ; 
I  give  you  her  true  name,  for  I'm  sure  my  Joe  has 
not  kept  it  from  you." 

"  Pray,  what  was  your  dream  ?"  exclaimed  the 
minister,  at  once  giving  her  all  his  attention ;  for 
Lydia  had  made  such  a  deep  impression  upon  him, 
*  See  Mather's  Remarkable  Providences. 


42  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

that   anything    relating    to    her   must    needs,   he 
thought,  be  worth  hearing. 

"Lord,  pardon  my  fib!"  groaned  Charity,  "but 
being  as  I've  commenced,  I  must  finish."  Then, 
clearing  her  throat,  and  putting  on  as  solemn  a 
face  as  she  could :  "  I  thought,  sir,  that  I  saw 
my  nephew  walking  by  the  side  of  Miss  Goffe, 
towards  the  meeting-house.  Joe  was  persuading 
her  to  go  with  him  to  divine  service ;  and  oh !  how 
earnestly  he  did  beg  her  to  own  the  covenant.  But 
she  appeared  undecided.  Well,  on  and  on  they 
went,  until  jnst  as  they  reached  the  green,  where 
the  house  of  worship  stands,  I  saw  another  figure 
glide  swiftly  up,  and  put  her  mouth  to  Lydia's  ear 
as  if  to  whisper  something.  And  lo  !  the  regicide's 
daughter  immediately  turned  away  from  my  ne- 
phew, and  walked  off,  accompanied  by  this  figure. 
At  that  moment  I  awoke,  with  a  loud,  mocking 
laughter  ringing  in  my  ears." 

"  A  dream  of  bad  omen  !"  said  Dr.  Mather,  shak- 
ing his  head.     "  Does  the  girl  go  to  church  ?" 

Miss  Crabtree  made  no  response ;  but  her  expres- 
sion, as  she  shrugged  her  shoulders,  spoke  as  plain- 
ly as  words,  exactly  what  she  thought. 

"  Do  you  guard  her  carefully  when  she  goes  out  ?" 
continued  the  minister. 

"  I  try  to — I  ain't  to  blame." 

"  But  you  seem  to  intimate  that  she  has  already 


CHARTER   OAK.  43 

fallen  from  grace  ;  be  franlv,  good  woman,  this  girl 
is  too  precious  a  flower  to  be  lost." 

For  a  moment,  Miss  Crabtree  paused  ;  she  seem- 
ed as  if  loth  to  repeat  any  tales  about  Lydia,  and 
the  clergyman  had  to  urge  her  once  more  to  bo 
frank  with  him. 

*'  Well,"  she  continued,  heaving  a  deep  sigh,  "  1 
will  be  frank,  sir.  She's  beautiful,  aje,  uncommon 
beautiful,  as  3^ou  may  perceive  with  half  an  eye,  and 
smart,  too,  and  I  once  had  hopes  of  seeing  a  match 
between  her  and  my  nephew— she'd  be  just  the 
girl  to  make  him  happy,  if — if  she — well,  I  won't 
be  too  hard  on  Miss  Lydia,  if  she  only  showod  a 
more  docile  spirit,  and  went  to  meeting." 

"  What !  has  Miss  Goffe  gone  so  far  astray?"  and  as 
the  doctor  spoke,  he  raised  his  eyebrows,  aud  clasp- 
ed his  hands.  "  I  wonder  at  this  ;  for,  from  my 
conversation  with  her  father  last  evening,  and  in- 
deed from  what  I  had  already  heard  of  him  before 
we  met,  I  believed  that  he  was  a  most  religi- 
ous man ;  but  alas  !  he  has  failed  in  his  duty  to- 
wards his  child." 

"  It  is  not  the  old  gentleman's  fault,"  pursued 
Charity ;  "  I  don't  blame  even  my  friend  Pru- 
dence Garlic,  who  is  considered  like  a  mother  to 
the  girl,  and  who  should  never  have  allowed  her 
to  go  out  of  her  sight.  You  must  know.  Dr.  Ma- 
ther, that  there  is  a  young  woman  living  in  this 


44  homance  of  the 

town,  who  has  been  a  cause  of  scandal  for  years 
past ;  she  openly  defies  the  tithing-man — a  good- 
natured,  weak-minded  individual,  with  only  one  eye, 
which  he  takes  good  care  not  to  turn  towards  the 
sinner — she  is  never  seen  at  meeting,  while  from 
the  way  she  holds  aloof  from  the  rest  of  the 
folks,  Tve  begun  to  think  she  is  under  an  evil  in- 
fluence. There  are  witches  around,  and  it  would 
not  surprise  me  if  she  were  one." 

"Her  name,  her  name?"  inqui)'ed  the  minister. 

"  Nancy  Clark — the  figure  I  saw  in  m}^  dream  ;" 
and  as  the  old  maid  uttered  these  words  she  closed 
her  eyes  a  little,  then  put  her  finger  to  her  lips,  for 
the  door  of  the  librarj^  was  opening. 

In  another  moment,  Wadsworth  stood  before 
them,  looking  more  cheerful  than  usual.  The  ex- 
citement caused  by  the  doctor's  visit  would  alone 
have  sufficed  to  bring  the  color  to  his  cheeks  ;  but 
the  thought  that  his  vow  was  one  which  he  might 
break  without  committing  sin,  that  the  waj-  lay 
open  to  marry  Lydia  if  she  would  have  him,  w.v; 
what  gave  to  his  whole  appearance  such  an  air  of 
feverish  jo}^  As  he  left  his  study,  he  whistled  once 
or  twice,  then  called  Miles  ;  but  the  dog  did  not  re- 
spond to  his  summons.  "  He  was  not  in  my  room 
last  night,"  he  said,  "  nor  did  I  hear  his  bark  out- 
side, strange !" 

"Glad  of  it,"  muttered  his  aunt ;  "  very  glad  of  it." 


CHARTED    OAK.  45 

She  liail  scarcely  spoken  when  the  outer  door 
opened,  and  the  tramp  of  manj'  feet  announced  the 
advent  of  visitors.  In  they  came,  a  stern,  heavy- 
bearded  throng,  every  man  dressed  in  his  best  suit, 
and  at  their  head  Israel  Barebones,  who,  whatever 
cei'tain  members  of  the  train -band  might  think  of 
him,  had  acquired  among  the  people  an  influence 
nearly  equal  to  that  of  Wadsworth ;  not  so  much 
perhaps  on  account  of  his  age  and  religious  habits, 
as  because  he  had  aimed  to  make  his  stronghold 
the  women,  who,  if  they  did  not  go  to  tow^n-meet- 
ines  w^ere  nevertheless  the  true  rulers  of  Hartford. 

The  good  man's  right  foot  was  bandaged  in  flan- 
nel, and  this  as  w^ell  as  the  stick  on  wdiich  he  lean- 
ed, caused  Wadsworth  to  ask  what  accident  had 
befallen  him.  But  Israel  Barebones  was  not  one 
to  complain  of  his  sufierings,  especially  when  his 
conscience  told  him  that  they  were  well  deserved, 
and  he  replied  to  the  Captain's  question  by  waving 
his  hand  and  saying,  "  'tis  something,  sir,  for  Avhich 
I  am  thankful ;  pray  do  not  pity  me,  do  not  even 
notice  my  foot  again." 

At  this  answer,  those  who  were  nearest  him  gave 
one  another  inquiring  looks,  and  wondered  what  he 
could  mean.  But  Tom  Hubbard  put  his  hand  to 
his  mouth  and  laughed,  then  exchanged  winks  with 
Adams. 

In   a  few  minutes,  the  last  of  the  visitors  had 


46  ROMANCE    OF   'ilTE 

entered ;  then,  at  a  sign  from  her  neplitw,  Miss 
Crabtree  withdrew  to  the  upper  story,  where  sh© 
took  a  position  sufficiently  near  the  head  of  the 
steps,  to  hear  all  that  might  be  said  below. 

The  next  quarter  of  an  hour  w^as  devoted  to 
shaking  hands  with  the  minister;  and  considering 
that  these  same  people  had  almost  shaken  his 
wrist  off  the  evening  before,  the  present  ceremony 
w^as  borne  by  him  with  wonderful  good  nature. 

"When  it  was  over.  Wadsworth  requested  his 
guest  to  favor  the  visitors  with  a  few  remarks,  to 
w^hich  doctor  Mather  assented,  and  the  following 
may  be  taken  as  the  substance  of  what  he  said  : 

"  My  good  friends,  I  have  no  words  to  express 
the  gratitude  I  feel  for  the  warm  welcome  of  yes- 
terday, as  well  as  for  this  unexpected  compliment ; 
and  much  do  I  regret  that  my  stay  among  you  is 
to  be  so  brief.  Even  this  very  day,  or  at  furthest 
to-morrow  morning,  my  steps  must  be  directed  to- 
wards Boston.  But  to  the  last  hour  of  my  life  the 
ringing  of  your  meeting-house  bell,  which  so  joy- 
ously announced  my  arrival,  will  sound  in  my  ears 
and  keep  fresh  the  memory  of  my  visit  to  Hart- 
iord." 

Here  Tom  Hubbard  clapped  his  hands,  and  was 
on  the  point  of  giving  one  of  his  horrid  cat- calls, 
when  his  father's  eye  warned  him  to  keep  quiet. 


CHARTER   OAK.  47 

•'  I  came  here,"  pursued  the  clergyman,  "  to  con- 
sult with  the  captain  of  your  train-band  a,bout  the 
condition  of  the  colonies,  and  this  shall  now  be  the 
subject  of  my  remarks.  As  you  know,  New  Eng- 
land is  in  a  sad  condition.  We  believed  when  Mr. 
Dudley  was  sent  to  govern  us,  that  we  should  be 
put  to  no  further  trial.  But  an  all-wise  Providence 
has  seen  fit  to  allows  Beelzebub  to  take  entire 
possession  of  the  King,  who  has  lately  sent  over  a 
new  Governor,  compared  with  whom  Mr.  Dudley 
was  an  honest  man.  The  very  flag  which  Sir  Ed- 
mund Andros  has  brought  is  enough  to  make  my 
heart  bleed,  for  it  bears  a  popish  emblem  upon 
it — a  cross  !  Indeed  it  would  not  surprise  me  were 
Andros  a  j)apist  in  disguise."  Here  a  groan  rang 
through  the  assemblage,  and  Wadsw^orth's  flashing 
eye  met  the  savage  glance  of  Mad  Adams.  "  Then 
again  the  troops  which  have  accompanied  him," 
continued  the  speaker,  "  do  nothing  but  drink  and 
blaspheme,  and  by  their  lustful  ways  deeply  afflict 
the  godly  people  of  Boston.  Moreover,  the  charter 
of  Massachussetts  has  been  declared  null  and  void ; 
and  when  the  Bay  is  forced  to  submit,  Plymouth, 
Bhode  Island,  and  your  own  Plantation  must  needs 
show^  a  most  determined  front  if  ye  do  not  wish  to 
lose  your  charter  likewise." 

'*  By  Jehovah,"  cried  Adams,  striking  his  breast, 
"  I'm  ready  for  Andros  ;  let  him  come." 


48  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

"  1  verilj  believe,"  contmiied  the  minister,  "  jo 
shall  sin  against  the  Lord  of  Heaven  if  ye  vote 
to  submit.  The  scripture  teaches  ye  otherwise. 
That  whicii  the  Lord  your  God  has  given  you,  shall 
ye  not  possess  it  ?  God  forbid  that  ye  should  give 
away  the  inheritance  of  your  fathers.  Nor  would 
it  be  wisdom  for  ye  to  comply.  If  ye  make  a  full 
and  entire  resignation  to  pleasure,  ye  fall  into  the 
hands  of  men  immediately  ;  but  if  ye  do  not,  ye 
stili  keep  yourselves  in  the  hands  of  God.  And 
who  knows  what  God  may  do  for  ye  ?  Therefore, 
I  urge  ye  to  be  brave  and  do  not  tamely  bow  your 
necks  to  the  yoke.  I  came  here  to  awaken  ye  to 
the  dangers  ahead  ;  let  me  depart  in  the  belief  that 
ye  are  brave  and  determined  men."  For  several 
minutes  after  he  had  finished  speaking,  there  was 
a  hum  of  voices  ;  the  people  were  earnestly  dis- 
cussing his  words,  and  the  white  locks  of  the  ruling 
elder  might  have  been  seen  moving  hurriedly  to 
and  fro  ;  the  good  man  was  evidently  anxious  about 
the  effect  which  the  address  might  have  on  the  free- 
men. At  length,  he  connnanded  silence,  then  after 
closing  his  eyes  and  breathing  a  short  prayer, 
sDoke  as  follows : 

''My  brethren,  with  all  my  reverence  and  love  for 
Increase  Mather,  I  differ  with  him  as  to  the  course 
which  ye  ought  to  pursue  in  these  unhappy  days. 
He  would  have  ye  take  up  arms,  but  why  not  leave 


charteh  oak.  40 

it  all  to  God.  He  who  piloted  the  Mayflower  across 
a  broad  and  stormy  ocean,  will  not  abandon  ye 
now.  Trust  in  the  Lord  !  He  will  deliver  ye  with- 
out using  sword  and  powder.  What  ye  are  suffer- 
ing, and  may  yet  suffer,  take  as  a  penance  for  your 
sins.  My  counsel  is — do  not  oppose  Sir  Edmund 
Andros  ;  but  while  ye  submit,  redouble  your  fasting 
and  prayers.  Let  him  not  drive  ye  to  rebel.  Dr. 
Mather  has  told  you  that  Massachusetts,  the 
strongest  colony,  has  been  deprived  of  her  charter  ; 
how  then  can  we  keep  ours  ?  We  could  not  prevail 
against  King  James'  armies  and  fleets,  and  the 
desolation  which  would  come  over  the  land  would 
be  indescribable.  It  is  therefore  to  counsel  ye 
against  rebellion  which  has  caused  me  to  raise  my 
voice  in  opposition  to  Dr.  Mather,  whom  I  revere 
as  much  as  any  of  ye.  The  rock  is  not  harder  to 
break  than  my  Puritan  faith.  Episcopacy  I  hate 
as  I  hate  the  devil ;  but  I  love  ye  too  dearly  to  see 
ye  take  a  mad  step,  without  speaking  plainly  all 
that  is  in  my  heart.  Again  I  say,  trust  in  the 
Lord ;  and  instead  of  seeking  bloodshed,  I  would 
urge  Mr.  Mather  to  go  to  King  James  and  tell  him 
of  the  injustice  which  he  has  done  these  poor  colo- 
nies. To  appear  at  court  and  plead  for  us  would 
be  a  daring  act ;  but  even  as  Daniel  was  left  un- 
harmed by  the  lions,  even  so  would  our  great  di- 
vii^e  be  respected  by  our  enemies  at  court.     Yea, 


50  KOMANCK   OF  THE 

Godwin  walk  at  Lis  side.  I  kuow  that  Andr-^s  has 
forbidden  any  one  to  leave  the  country  without  per- 
Biissiouj  and  it  will  be  no  easy  matter  to  reach 
England;  but  He  who  led  the  Israelites  dryshod 
across  the  Eed  Sea,  Avill  provide  a  means  for  In- 
crease Mather  to  escape  from  our  tyrant  Governor. 
Therefore,  lay  aside  your  muskets  and  pikes,  and 
trust  in  the  Omnipotent  God ;  instead  of  seeking 
for  independence,  as  Mr.  Wadsworth  would  have 
ve,  devote  your  whole  attention  to  religious  mat- 
ters, now  alas  wofully  neglected." 

At  these  words,  Tom  Hubbard  slipped  into  the 
entry,  where  he  was  soon  joined  by  Mad  Adams  ; 
and  Mr.  Japheth  liad  better  have  followed  the 
lad's  example,  for  presently,  Israel  Barebones  in- 
quired if  he  were  in  the  room;  and  when  some  one 
pointed  him  out,  the  ruling  elder  raised  himself  an 
inch  higher  on  his  toes,  and  administered  a  lecture 
to  the  tithing-man,  such  as  the  latter  had  never  be- 
fore received. 

"  You  do  not  enforce  the  Sabbath  law,"  cried 
Mr,  Barebones  ;  "  beware,  beware,  or  the  Lord  will 
snatch  you  away  and  send  you  to  hell  in  the  twink- 
ling of  an  eye." 

Poor  Mr.  Japheth  groaned  and  would  have 
given  all  he  possessed  in  the  world — not  much,  it 
is  true — if  only  the  fioor  could  have  opened  and 
let  him  down  into  the  cellar. 


CHAliTER   OiVK.  51 

"Because,"  went  on  the  ruling ; elder,  "an  acci- 
dent has  deprived  yon  of  the  use  of  one  of  your 
orbs,  jou  make  that  an  excuse  for  not  detecting  the 
sinner.  Oh,  Jacob  Japheth,  Jacob  Japheth,  do 
jour  duty,  or  God's  hand  will  be  upon  you !" 
Then  taking  his  gaze  off  the  cobbler,  he  spoke  to 
the  people  about  having  an  iron  cage  erected  for 
sabbath-breakers — and  here  the  speaker's  counten- 
ance became  fairly  radiant,  it  was  the  joy  of  a  fan- 
atic. As  for  Wadsworth,  it  was  not  easy  to  tell 
what  his  thoughts  were.  Nobody  was  more  scru- 
pulous than  he  in  obeying  the  laws  of  the  Church; 
but  were  he  to  behold  Nancy  Clark  in  a  cage  at 
the  meeting-house  door,  would  he  have  the  grace 
to  pass  by  and  say,  "  Well  done  ?" 

"When  Mr.  Barebones  had  finished  his  address, 
the  Captain  was  in  hopes  that  he  would  accompany 
Dr.  Mather  into  the  library,  where  they  might 
argue  together  the  great  question  of  independence. 
But  the  heart  of  the  ruling  elder  was  too  full  of  re- 
ligious matters  to  care  about  discussing  aught  re- 
lating to  this  world;  and  while  the  visitors  were 
making  their  way  out  of  the  house  he  hobbled  up 
to  the  minister  and  urged  him  to  call  on  a  few  of 
the  babbath-breakers,  at  the  same  time  offering  to 
be  his  guide. 

"  But  are  you  not  too.  lame,  sir  ?"  inquired  tb« 
divixie,  gazing  down  at  the  bandaged  foot. 


52  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

"  If  I  could  come  here,"  responded  Israel  Bare- 
bones,  "  to  paj  my  respects  to  a  liuman  being, 
ought  I  to  think  it  a  hardship  the  going  a  greater 
distance  to  serve  the  Almighty  ?" 

In  about  five  minutes  the  last  of  the  freemen, 
who  had  come  to  call  on  Increase  Mather,  had  de- 
parted, and  Wadsworth  stood  in  the  entry  waiting 
for  the  minister,  who  was  listening  to  something 
Mr.  Barebones  was  telling  him — and  whenever  the 
divine  would  shake  his  head  and  appear  astonished, 
the  Captain  would  grind  his  teeth  and  mutter  harsh 
things  of  the  ruling  elder,  for  the  latter,  he  knew, 
was  speaking  of  Nancy  Clark.  At  length,  they 
sallied  forth  on  their  inquisitorial  tour — the  grey 
oyes  of  Charity  Crab  tree  following  them  as  far  as 
the  giGcn.  and  her  countenance  beaming  with 
joj,  for  sho  guessed  where  they  Avere  going.  As 
they  passed  the  Bunch  of  Grapes,  Wadsworth 
Crt,i:ght  a  glimpse  of  Adams  peeping  out  of  one  of 
the  windows,  and  looking  dark  as  a  thunder-cloud ; 
nor  did  the  scout  pay  any  heed  to  his  chief  when 
the  latter  made  him  a  sign  to  join  tJiem,  but  con- 
tinued muttering  curses  upon  the  ruling  elder, 
whose  peaceful  address  had  nettled  him  fearfully. 

"  If  Captain  Joe,"  he  growled,  "  after  all  the 
trouble  he  has  had  in  organizing  an  insurrection, 
allows  this  rehgious  old  fool  to  talk  him  out  of  it, 
ihon  — "  But  we  shall  not  repeat  Adams'  blasphem- 


CHARTER  OAK.  53 

Otis  words ;  let  us  follow  the  captain  of  the  train-bantl, 
who  went  by  the  tavern  with  a  heavy  heart,  and 
who  did  not  open  his  lips  until  he  reached  the 
green.  Here  Wadswortlfs  thoughts  turned  upon 
the  gallant  fellows  whom  he  had  so  often  drilled, 
and  he  was  about  launching  forth  into  praises  of 
their  skill  and  bravery,  when  the  ruling  elder  inter- 
rupted him  by  seizing  the  minister's  aroi  and  draw- 
ing the  latter  towards  the  jail. 

"  It  LS  empty,"  said  the  good  man  with  a  sorrow- 
ful voice,  "  and  these  stocks  might  as  well  be  used 
for  fire  wood,  and  so  might  that  locust  tree  in 
which  those  rings  are  fastened.  Alas !  sinners  in 
Hartford  grow  fat  on  their  transgressions." 

"  What  has  brought  about  this  unhappy  con- 
dition of  souls  ?"  mquired  the  minister — who,  to 
speak  true,  began  to  think  Mr.  Barebones  not  a 
little  of  a  bore. 

Giving  our  minds  to  the  affairs  of  this  world, 
instead  of  dwelling  on  Zion.  Politics,  sir,  and  wild 
schemes  for  throwing  off  allegiance  to  the  mother 
country,"  responded  the  other,  with  a  glance  at  the 
Ci-i  plain. 

"And  perhaps  those  whose  duty  it  is  to  look 
after  the  fiock  have  become  negligent,"  said  the 
divine,  meaning  this  as  a  sly  hit  at  the  fault- 
finder. 

"Well,    my   conscience   is   clear,"   rejoined   Mr. 


54  KOMANCE   OP  THE 

Barebones ;  "  not  a  family  in  Hartford  that  I  do 
not  visit,  and  my  inspections  are  tliorougli.  Our 
one-eyed  tithing-man,  however,  by  always  turning 
his  blind  side  towards  the  sinner  hath  done  much 
to  place  the  flock  in  the  hands  of  Beelzebub." 

"  Bless  Jacob  Japheth,"  murmured  Wadsworth, 
who,  strict  as  he  was  himself  in  observing  all  the 
church  laws,  could  not  share  in  this  attack  upon 
the  good  man  ;  for  what  might  not  have  befallen 
Nancy  Clark  if  Mr.  Japheth  had  strictlj^  performed 
his  duty  ?  Would  not  her  habit  of  breaking  the 
^^abbath  have  brought  her  into  trouble  ? 

"  Aye,"  he  repeated,  "  bless  Jacob  Japheth." 
After  leaving  the  green  they  continued  on  to- 
wards Little  river,  and  as  they  approached  the 
stream,  Mr  Barebones  stretched  out  his  crane-like 
neck  and  gazed  at  the  willow  near  the  bank.  If  the 
empty  jail,  and  the  unused  stocks,  and  whipping- 
post were  signs  that  the  discipline  of  the  church 
in  Hartford  had  grown  lax,  what  would  Mr.  Mather 
say  when  he  looked  on  the  rickety  duckiug-^  tool, 
which  tlu'  ruling  elder  was  now  straining  li^'s  eyes 
to  find.  There  stood  the  willow — a  piece  of  decayed 
rope  dangling  from  the  limb  which  stretched  over 
the  water — but  where  was  the  chair  ?  As  he  gazed 
the  goodman's  jaw  fell,  and  his  face  assumed  such 
an  expression  that  the  minister  looked  at  him  in 
"vs-onder. 


CHARTER   OAK.  55 

"  Somebody  liatli  been  serving  the  devil,"  be  ex- 
claimed ;  "  OLiv  ducking-stool  lias  been  cut  adrift/' 

"  All,  indeed  !"  said  Dr.  Mather,  lifting  his  eye- 
brows, and  on  the  whole  rather  pleased  at  this  new 
source  of  unhappiness  to  the  speaker. 

"  But  we  shall  have  another  one  put  up  at  once," 
cried  Mr.  Barebones,  "  aye,  at  once" — pulling  out 
of  his  pocket  the  paper  on  which  was  the  drawing 
of  his  improved  ducking-stool.  For  the  next  five 
minutes  and  until  they  had  passed  Mr.  Clark's 
house— which  Wadsworth  had  intended  pointing  out 
to  his  reverend  guest  —the  ruling  elder  kept  the 
latter's  attention  close  fixed  upon  the  drawing, 
every  part  of  which  was  pressed  by  his  cold  fore- 
finger ;  nor  was  the  clergyman  allowed  to  take  his 
eyes  off  it  until  he  had  confessed  that  it  was  a  vast 
improvement  on  the  old  chair  and  rope.  Mr.  Bare- 
bones  had  now  worked  himself  into  a  great  state  of 
excitement ;  his  ash-colored  cheeks  had  a  tinge  of 
red  upon  them,  and  he  walked  without  limp"ng. 
This  sudden  change  in  his  appearance  was  caused 
by  the  hope  of  seeing  his  ducking-stool  immediately 
brought  into  use,  and  before  they  arrived  at  the 
widow's  he  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was 
a  special  Providence  which  had  cut  the  old  chair 
adrift — in  order  that  a  better  one  miglit  be  brought 
into  the  service  of  the  Lord.  Presently,  they  reach- 
ed the  log  cabin,   but  before  knocking,  Mr.  Bare- 


56  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

bones  lialted  and  informed  Dr.  Mather  whom 
they  were  going  to  visit.  He  touched  briefly  on 
the  hfe  of  Mrs.  Bull  since  the  death  of  Captain 
Bull,  her  absence  from  meeting  until  quite  recently, 
her  fondness  for  dress,  and  her  blustering  ways. 
"  She  is  as  often  asleep  as  listening  to  the  exhor- 
tation," he  said,  "  and  a  Sabbath  or  two  ago,  her 
nose  was  tickled  by  the  tithing-man's  rod."  He 
then  went  on  to  relate  how  a  young  woman  named 
Nancy  Clark  had  lately  taken  up  her  residence 
with  her,  and  that  she  likewise  was  a  sabbath- 
breaker;  but  more  hardened  even  than  the  widow, 
for  she  had  not  yet  mended  her  ways  ever  so  little. 
At  this  allusion  to  Nancy,  Wads  worth  bit  his  lip  and 
wished  the  tell-tale  ruling  elder  at  the  bottom  of  the 
sea.  Dr.  Mather,  however,  expressed  no  surprise  at 
this  information  ;  nevertheless"  he  did  think  very 
strange  that  a  man  as  upright  and  religious  as  Wads- 
"worth  should  have  given  him  sacli  a  different  account 
of  this  young  woman.  The  Captain  might  be  right 
in  his  judgment  of  her,  yet  there  was  arrayed 
against  him  the  ruling  elder  of  his  church  and  his 
own  aunt,  whose  last  dream  had  made  a  great  im- 
pression on  the  doctor's  mind.  We  Avill  here  in- 
form the  reader  that  such  domiciliary  visits  as  they 
were  about  to  make,  Avere  far  from  unconnnon  in 
those  days.  The  ministers,  the  selectmen,  the 
grand  jurors,  all  had  the  riglit  to  enter  into  any 


CHARTEll   OAK.  57 

person's  dwelling,  and  satisfy  themselves  as  to  the 
spiritual  and  moral  condition  of  tlie  family ;  but 
especially  was  this  a  dnty  of  the  ruling  elder— and 
Mr.  Barebone's  inspections,  as  he  himself  has  told 
1  us,  were  always  thorough.  When  the  good  niau 
had  given  all  the  information  he  thought  necessary 
about  the  inmates  of  the  cabin,  he  knocked  on  the 
door,  and  during  the  few  moments  they  were  wait- 
ing for  it  to  open,  his  countenance  took  an  ex- 
pression which  Eaphael,or  Michael  Angelo  would 
have  given  anything  to  have  had  on  canvas,  or  in 
marble— it  w^as  so  full  of  burning  zeal,  so  radiant 
with  fanatic  joy.  Visions  of  ducking-stools,  and 
whipping-posts,  of  gibbets  for  witches,  were  danc- 
ing through  his  brain,  and  his  eyes  had  a  glare 
which  made  Dr.  Mather  believe  he  was  in  afjenzy. 
When,  presently,  the  door  opened,  Wadsworth  was 
the  last  to  enter — nor  did  he  look  up  at  the  young 
woman  who  was  greeting  them;  but  Miles  Standisb, 
who  had  already  found  his  way  here,  wagged  his 
tail,  licked  the  Captain's  hand  and  showed, 
dog-fashion,  how  glad  he  was  to  see  his  master. 
Still  Wadsworth  did  not  lift  his  eyes.  "  I  can't 
help  thinking  she  knows  all  about  it,"  he  said  to 
himself.  "  How  she  must  despise  me  !"  He  re- 
membered how  cheerfully  Nancy  had  submitted  to 
his  vow  of  celibacy ;  how  she  had  e^en  expressed 
her  delight  at  his  covenant  with  the  Lord,     And 


58  EOMANCE   OF  THE 

now  he  was  going  to  break  it !  oli,  how  AV^adsworth's 
conscience  stung  him  at  this  moment.  Increase 
Mather  had  told  him  his  vow  need  not  be  kept^ 
and  this  barrier,  once  removed,  could  he  overcome 
his  passion  for  L^^dia  Goffe  ?  Alas,  this  he  felt  he 
could  not  do,  and  already  remorse,  black  remorse 
was  beginning  to  gnaw  into  his  soul.  Hard,  unre- 
lenting, worm !  "If  any  one  is  to  be  my  wife,  it 
should  be  Nancy,"  he  groaned.  "  But  no — no — 1 
am  a  poor,  weak  Avretch  not  worthy  even  of  God's 
pity." 

The  unexpected  coming  of  so  mamj  visitors, 
among  whom  she  recognized  the  great  man  in 
whose  honor  the  meeting-house  bell  had  rung  out 
such  joyous  peals  the  evening  before,  made  the 
young  woman  blush.  But  quickly  recovering  her 
self-possession,  she  bade  them  take  a  seat  on  a 
bench,  then  hastened  to  call  Mrs.  Bu  1,  who  had 
gone  out  a  moment  to  the  well.  But  ere  she 
reached  the  threshold,  Israel  Barebones  checked 
her. 

"  Stay,  Miss  Clark,"  he  said,  "  We  have  come  t<. 
■  11  quire  into  your  spiritual  condition,  and  the  p'^es 

ice  of  the  widow  is  not  necessary." 

At  these  words,  Nancy  turned  deadly  pale,   and 

,1. Hieing  tit  Wadsworth,  in  whom  she  hoped  to  find 

a  })i()t'jctor,  wondered  why  he  kept  his  eyes  avcrteil. 

"  Kemain  cahn,"   continued    the   inquisitor,    "'and 


CHARTER  OAK.  59 

truthfully  answer  the  questions  which  I  am  going  to 
put  to  you."  Here  he  coughed  and  rubbed  his 
throat.  "First,  how  long  is  it  since  you  have 
studied  the  Assembly  Catechism  ?" 

"  I  read  half  of  it,  yesterday,  sir,"  replied 
Nancy  in  a  firm  voice.  Wads  worth  now,  for  the 
first  time,  looked  at  her,  and  his  countenance 
showed  how  much  her  answer  had  pleased  him. 

"  Let  us  see,"  continued  the  goodman,  with  a 
faint  smile,  and  his  heart  throbbing  at  the  pros- 
pect of  an  easy  victory  over  the  father  of  lies,  who 
he  believed  was  speaking  through  Nancy's  mouth. 
"  Let  me  see !"  Then  drawing  from  his  pocket 
a  small  volume  he  handed  it  to  Dr.  Mather.  But 
the  latter  told  him  that  he  had  better  go  on  and 
examine  the  young  woman  himself.  Accordingly, 
Mr.  Barebones  commenced,  his  eyebrows  raised  a3 
high  as  they  could  get,  and  half  pitying  Miss  Clark, 
whose  calm  bearing  he  attributed  to  the  devil. 
But  although  he  put  the  questions  at  random,  skip- 
ping from  the  first  to  one  in  the  middle  of  the  book, 
Nancy  gave  correct  responses  to  all  of  them,  nor 
did  she  once  hesitate.  In  fact,  she  showed  herself 
so  perfectly  familiar  with  the  catechism,  that  Dr 
Mather  told  Mr.  Barebones  he  need  go  no  further. 
The  ruling  elder  obeyed,  crumpling  the  leaves 
of  the  book  as  he  returned  it  to  his  pocket, 
and  groaning  at  this  unexpected  triumph  of  the 


€0  HOMANCE    OF   THE 

Evil  Oue,  who  of  course  had  whispered  the  ans» 
wers. 

**  How  happeneth  it,  Miss  Chivk,"  he  continued, 
after  saying  a  prajei-  to  drive  away  the  devil,  "  how 
happeneth  it  you  never  come  to  meeting  on  tlio 
Sab]>ath  ?"  To  this  Nancy  made  no  reply.  She 
loved  her  father,  cruel  though  he  was,  and  nought 
would  she  let  pass  her  lips  which  might  be  used 
against  him. 

"Answer!"  exclaimed  Mr.  Barebones.  "Why, 
for  so  many  years,  have  you  persisted  in  breaking 
the  Lord's  day,  to  the  scandal  of  everj'  man,  wo- 
man and  child  in  Hartford  ?" 

Still  Nancy  remained  mute,  while  the  catechiser 
smiled  triumphantly — Satan,  he  thought,  was  cor- 
nered at  last.  "  I  know  the  reason,"  exclaimed 
Wadsworth,  who  felt  tempted  to  choke  the  fanatic, 
^''Yes,  I  know  the  reason  !" 

Instantly,  Nancy  put  her  finger  to  her  li])s  and 
gave  the  Captain  an  imploring  look.  This  sign  of 
an  understanding  between  them  so  astonished  Mr. 
Barebones  as  well  as  the  clergyman,  that  for  more 
'than  a  minute  neither  of  them  spoke  a  word. 
What  Satanic  communication  might  this  be  ?  Had 
the  strict  and  pious  Wadswoi'th  fallen  under  a 
spell  ?  Was  Beelzebub  woiking  ii])on  him  through 
this  young  woman  ?  They  had  scarcely  recovered 
from  their  wonder  when  a  large  cat  came  do\^u 


CHARTEil   OAK.  6l 

from  the  upper  story,  and  jumping  on  the  table, 
seated  itself  upon  a  volume  lying  there.  The 
ruling  elder,  whose  mind  was  alwajs  disposed  to 
see  the  supernatural  in  the  most  trivial  incident, 
immediately  bade  the  creature  begone  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  ;  after  which  he  took  up  the  book 
and  opened  it.  It  was  the  widow's  copy  of  Shakes- 
peare. "  From  the  snares  of  the  devil,  O  Lord  de- 
liver us!"  he  cried,  letting  the  book  drop  out  of  his 
hands. 

"What  work  is  that?"  inquired  Dr.  Mather. 

"  One  forbidden  to  be  read — -lewd — full  of  pro- 
fane language — foul  in  the  extreme.  I  wonder  not 
that  those  wdio  peruse  it  stay  away  from  meeting." 

"  Is  it  a  quaker  tract  ?"  continued  the  minister, 
stretching  out  his  hand.  "  Allow  me  to  see." 

"  You'd  not  touch  it  with  the  ti]i  of  your  finger," 
replied  .Mr.  Barebones.     "  'Tis  Shakespeare  !" 

"Shakespeare  !"'  re23eated  Mr.  Mather.  "  Has  a 
copy  of  his  ^vorks  found  its  way  as  far  as  this  ? 
it  must  be  destroyed;  throw  it  into  the  fire  n  I 
once." 

The  ruling  elder  cheerfully  obeyed ;  then  as  the 
leaves  were  twisting  and  crumbling  in  the  flame, 
he  asked  Nancy  Clark  if  the  book  had  belonged  to 
lier.  The  young  woman  was  tempted  to  say  Yes«; 
■for  she  wished  to  take  upon  herself  all  tlie  l)lame, 
rather  than  have  it  fall  on  the  head  of  the  kind- 


6S  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

hearted  widow.  But  even  for  the  sake  of  Mrs. 
Bull  she  could  not  tell  a  falsehood,  so  she  remained 
mute. 

"  She  will  not  answer,"  exclaimed  the  ruliug 
elder.  "Beelzebub  hath  sent  a  dumb  spirit  into 
her."  As  he  uttered  these  words,  Nancy  gave  him  a 
look  of  withering  scoin,  while  her  bosom  heaved. 
At  the  same  time  Wadsworth  approached  nearer  to 
her  ;  he  could  not  bear  to  have  this  scene  go  auy 
further  ;  to  do  violence  to  Mr.  Barebones  was  out 
of  the  question,  but  at  least  he  might  leave  the 
Louse  and  take  the  young  woman  with  him.  Such 
was  his  intention  when  suddenly  the  door  opened 
and  Mrs.  Bull  appeared.  The  sight  of  so  manv 
visitors — one  of  whom  was  seated  on  the  bench, 
two  standing  close  to  Nancy — caused  the  dame  to 
lift  her  eyebrows.  "What  did  it  all  mean  ?  The 
young  w^oman  was  evidently  in  trouble  ;  the  coun- 
tenance of  Mr.  Barebones  wore  the  same  expres- 
sion as  when  under  his  supervision  the  constable 
had  ducked  Hannah  Otis  in  little  river ;  AVads- 
wortli,  if  his  lowering  eyebrows  indicated  an;  tling, 
was  in  no  gentle  mood  ;  while  the  clergyman,  wlnnu 
she  guessed  to  be  Increase  Mather,  gave  her  only 
a  glance,  then  turned  his  eyes  again  towards  the 
fire-place, 

"  What's  going  on  here  ?"  she  exclaimed,  quick- 
ly recovering  from  her  embarrassment,  and  her  ire 


CHARTER  OAK.  63 

roused  to  its  highest  pitch  by  the  sight  of  the  burn- 
ing book  and  the  disturbed  expression  of  Nancy. 
"  Tell  nie,  Miss,  what  have  they  been  doin£>- ': 
What's  that  yonder?"  pointing  towards  her  smoul- 
dering Shakespeare.  The  young  woman  could  not 
utter  a  word  ;  but  Israel  Barebones,  raising  him- 
self on  his  toes,  responded  for  her.  '  We  have 
come,  Mrs.  Bull,"  he  said,  "  to  purify  your  dwel- 
ling, to  search  out  the  nooks  and  corners  wherein 
Satan  hideth  himself.  Even  at  this  moment — " 
here  he  pointed  at  Nancy — "  she  is  possessed  by  a 
dumb  spirit ;  but  we'll  draw  the  imp  out !" 

"  Well,  it  aint  a  dumb  devil  that's  in  me.  "  re- 
turned the  widow,  advancing  in  a  threatening  man- 
ner, while  at  the  same  time  she  thrust  her  hand 
into  her  pocket.     "  No,  no,  indeed." 

"  Wretched  woman,"  continued  Mr.  Barebones, 
"  Off  with  these  gaudy  ribbons,  and  give  thanks  to 
God  that  we  have  destroyed  a  sinful  book." 

He  had  scarcely  spoken  when  the  dame  drew 
forth  a  coil  of  rope — the  same  tarry  piece  which 
she  kept  as  a  relic  of  the  Polly  Ann — and  flourish- 
iug  it  over  his  head,  "  I'll  do  something  better  than 
take  off  my  ribbons,"  she  screamed,  her  rage  now 
quite  ungovernable.  "  By  all  the  sharks !  as  my 
dear,  dead  husband  used  to  say,  I'll  teach  you  what 
it  is  to  enter  uninvited  an  honest  woman's  house  ! 
You  have  burnt  my  Shakespeare,  but  I  know  it  by 


O-l  IIOIVUNCE   OF  THK 

heart.  Here's  from  Henry  the  Fourth  ~ 'Away, 
you  cut-purse  rascal!  3'ou  filthy  bung,  away  !  away, 
you  bottle-ale  rascal !  you  basket-hilt,  stale  juggler 
you  !' — and  her  speech  was  accompanied  by  such 
violent  blows  on  Mr.  Barebones'  shoulders,  that 
the  good  man  did  not  wait  to  manifest  his  pity  for 
her,  but  ran  to  the  door  with  a  speed  which  did  not 
slacken  for  a  bandaged  foot;  while  Nancy  turned 
towards  the  window,  and  throwing  it  open  made 
Wadsworth  and  the  clergyman  a  hurried  sign  to 
escape.  They  obeyed  with  an  alacrity  which  was 
anything  but  dignified — Increase  Mather  jumping 
out  first,  and  the  Captain  without  waiting  to  free 
his  coat  from  a  nail  which  had  caught  in  it  and 
made  a  very  ugly  tear ;  but  his  hurry  saved  him  from 
a  sound  castigation.  Mrs.  Bull  did  not  pursue  the 
ruling  elder  further  than  the  threshold,  then  turned 
to  punish  the  others.  "  Oh,  Nancy,  you're  too 
good  to  live,"  she  cried,  when  she  saw  the  open 
window,  "  why  did  you  let  'em  escape  ?  By  all  the 
sharks,  I'd  have  whipped  some  practical  tlieology 
into  Dr.  Mather,  and  I'd  have  made  Josepli  Wad>*- 
worth  learn  a  lesson  of  indcDendence  which  mii>ht 
have  been  of  use  to  him.  He  wants  us,  forsooth, 
to  rebel  against  King  James  !  Better  first,  over- 
turn our  fanatical  church  laws.  Oh,  Nancy,  Nancy, 
you're  too  good  to  live !  I  say,  why  did  you 
let  'em  escape?"     But  the  young  woman  did  not 


CHARTER   OAK.  65 

r©plj  ;  she  had  throwu  herself  on  the  bench,  and 
was  giving  full  flow  to  her  tears,  while  Miles  Stand- 
ish,  with  his  head  on  her  lap,  was  gazing  up  at  her 
in  his  peeuliar,  solemn  way.  "  Oh,  wouldn't  I  have 
thrashed  the  other  two,''  continued  the  widow; 
"ha  !  ha  !  ha  !"  Then  pressing  the  rope  to  her  lips, 
"  dear  relic  of  the  Polly  Ann,"  she  said,  "you'll  make 
Israel  Barebones'  coat  smell  of  tar  for  a  month." 
The  good  woman  now  seated  herself  beside 
Nancy  and  endeavored  to  comfort  her.  "  Thej^'ve 
been  catechizing  you,"  she  said,  "  and  warning  you 
about  not  going  to  meeting.  Oh,  yes,  I'm  sure 
they  have,  damn  'em  !"  xlt  these  words  Nancy 
started.  "  My  dear,  dead  husband  used  that  ex- 
pression once  in  a  while,"  pursued  the  widow. 
"  It  kind  of  flurries  you  'cause  you  ain't  used  to  it  ; 
but,  Nancy,  it  eases  me  to  say  it — it  lets  the  hurri- 
cane out  of  my  bosom.  Aye,  damn  these  ruling 
elders,  teachers,  ministers,  grand  jurors,  damn  'em 
all.  The  only  decent  man  in  town  is  Jacob  Japh- 
eth.  But  he  won't  be  tithing-man  much  longer  ; 
they're  after  him  because  he  turns  his  blind  side 
towards  those  who  don't  toe  the  mark.  They'd 
rather  you'd  not  reach  Zion  at  all  unless  you 
travelled  their  way      Damn  'em  !" 

"  Had  3^ou  not  better  fly  to  the  woods  ?  or  go  to 
Manhadoes.^"  said  Nancy,  drying  her  tears,  anc] 


66  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

not  a  little  shocked  by  Mrs,  Bull's  language.  "  After 
what  has  happeued,  can  you  remain  another  day 
in  Hartford?" 

"  Let'm  do  their  worst,"  continued  the  other, 
"  Let  'em  duck  me  till  I'm  drowned.  I'm  a  sea 
captaiu's  widow,  and  I'll  go  down  with  colors  fly- 
ing, just  as  the  Polly  Ann  did  in  the  hardest  gale 
that  ever  blow'don  Cape  Cod;  yes,  by  all  the  sharks, 
I  will."  Then  bowing  her  head,  she  again  pressed 
the  rope  to  her  lips  and  murmured,  "  my  dear, 
dear  husband." 

In  vain  did  Nancy  urge  her  to  change  her  place 
of  residence— in  vain.  The  dame  swore — yes, 
swore,  for  she  was  in  no  godly  mood — that  she 
would  s'ay  just  where  she  was.  "  I'll  lay  to,"  she 
cried,  "  I'll  founder,  but  I  shan't  save  myself  by 
scudding.  The  Polly  Ann  never  showed  her  stern 
to  a  hurricane,  and  I  won't  either." 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

This  unlooked-for  ending  of  their  visit  to  the 
/» idow  Bull  so  incensed  Increase  Mather,  that  he 
refused  to  accompany  Wadsworth  to  see  the  field 
which  the  town  had  granted  for  school  purposes, 


CttAHTER   OAit.  67 

and  of  wliich  Aiidros  had  lately  given  a  deed  to 
Nathaniel  Clark. 

"  I'm  in  no  humor  to  see  more  of  Hartford,  sir," 
exelainied  the  divine.  "  A  community  wherein 
flwelleth  a  woman  such  as  we  have  just  visited, 
needs  something  more  than  schools  to  elevate  it. 
ihere  is  profanity,  sinful  reading  matter,  deception 
where  I  expected  only  godliness." 

"  Deception  !''  said  Wadsw^ortk 

"  Aye,  forgive  me ;  but  I  can  use  no  other  ex- 
pression," pui-.sued  the  minioter.  "I  was  told  by 
your  ownself  hat  Miss  Nancy  Clark  was  a  good 
Christian,  and  I  advised  you  to  take  lier  for  your 
wife — bat  lo  !  it  tuins  out  she  is  a  sabbath-breaker, 
dwelleth  with  a  sinner,  and — "."Ought  to  be  placed 
in  a  cage,"  interrupted  Mr.  Barebones,  limping  up. 
Wadsv»'orth  folded  his  arms  and  gave  the  ruling 
elder  a  fierce  glance — which,  however  the  good 
man  did  not  notice— then,  presently,  putting  his 
mouth  to  the  doctor's  ear,  "  when  we  are  alone," 
lie  whispered,  "  I  will  say  more  to  you  ;  now  I  ker]! 
silent."  This,  undoubtedly,  was  the  wisest  course 
for  the  Captain  to  pursue — Mr.  Barebones  during 
the  past  half  hour  had  deeply  wounded  his  feel- 
ings ;  never  would  he  forgive  the  ruling  elder's 
harsh  ])ehavior  tow^ards  Nancy ;  and  if  he  now  al- 
lowed himself  to  enter  into  a  di^^'jussion  with  the 
fanatic,  he  might  compromise  himself  by  some  rash 


68  HOMANCK  OF  THE 

expression,  if  not  by  some  act  scarcely  less  violent 
than  that  whereby  the  widow  had  freed  herself  from 
their  presence. 

In  a  few  minutes  more,  the  party  had  so  far  re- 
traced their  steps  as  to  have  arrived  again  opposite 
the  humble  abode  of  Jacob  Japheth,  where  they 
found  Lydia  standing  by  the  door  with  a  basket  on 
her  arm,  filled  with  cakes  and  good  things  for  the 
tithing-man's  children.  She  and  Mr.  Japheth  were 
conversing  in  undertones,  and  from  the  way  the 
latter  kept  shaking  his  head,  you  could  tell  that 
something  had  gone  wrong.  "  Never  mind,"  the 
girl  was  saying,  '*  never  mind  ;  God  will  help  you." 
Then,  of  a  sudden,  she  stopped,  for  she  had  dis- 
covered the  eyes  of  Wadsworth,  Dr.  Mather,  and 
Israel  Barebones  fastened  upon  her. 

"  She  must  be  saved,"  whispered  the  minister  to 
the  Captain,  "  your  aunts  dream  must  not  come 
true."  Wadsworth  started,  and  was  on  the  point 
of  asking  his  guest  what  he  meant,  when  the  ruling 
elder  interrupted  him.  "  If  this  girl,"  said  tlu: 
latter,  "could  be  made  to  own  the  covenant  she'd  bo 
a  perfect  angel  on  earth.'  Then  turning  towards 
Lydia,  "  Good  morning.  Miss,"  he  continued 
"  good  morning.  On  some  charitable  errand  bent  ?' 

For  a  moment,  Lydia  faced  the  speaker  with  a 
look  which  would  have  made  any  one  else  lower 
his  eyes,  and  which  told  as  plainly  as  any  language 


CliAIiTER   OAK.  69 

she  could  have  used,  in  what  contempt  slie  held 
him.  Presently,  the  good  man's  icy  middle-finger 
was  stretched  towards  hej* ;  this  was  more  than  she 
could  bear,  and  without  opening  her  lips,  she 
turned  her  back  on  him  and  entered  the  cobbler's 
liouse. 

"  What    means   this  ?"    exclaimed    the    divine. 

"  Are  we  mtnessing  the  contagion  of  evil  ?" 

"  Our  friend  here,"  responded  Mr.  Barebones, 
turning  toAvards  Jacob  Japheth,  "  must  indeed 
awake  from  his  lethargy.  Religion  is  at  a  low  ebb, 
when  people  not  only  stay  openly  away  from  meet- 
ing, but  treat  with  gross  divsrespect  their  ruling 
elder."  At  these  words  the  tithing-man  bowed 
his  head  as  if  he  were  expecting  to  receive  a  blow. 
He  knew  how  remiss  he  had  been  in  performing 
his  duty,  and  that  if  he  escaped  with  nothiug  worse 
than  a  Iticture  he  might  indeed  congratulate  him- 
self ;  but  he  had  reason  to  fear  that  a  more  severe 
punishment  would  ere  long  be  meted  out  to  him. 
"  Alas,"  he  sighed,"  my  days  as  tithing-man  are 
numbered." 

"In  IpsAvich  and  other  towus  of  Massachusetts," 
continued  Dr.  Mather,  "  a  tithing-man,  who  would 
allow  any  person  to  break  the  Lord's  day,  would 
be  dismissed  at  once,  while  those  who  might  have 
profited  by  his  indulgence  would  be  set  in  iron 
cages.    Oh,  Mr.  Japheth,  you  may  thank  your  stars 


70  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

that  you  are  living  in  Hartford."  "And you  know, 
Jacob,"  put  in  the  ruhng  elder,  "  that  I  have  time 
and  again  warned  you  to  do  }  our  duty.  If  Nancy 
Clark's  soul  be  damned  will  you  be  held  guiltless 
before  the  Lord  ?"  At  these  words  the  poor  fellow 
groaned.  "And  if  through  the  intimacy  which 
exists  between  her  and  the  girl  you  have'  just  been 
conversing  with,  the  latter  become  also  a  sab- 
bath-breaker, will  you  not  be  responsible  for  two 
souls  instead  of  one  ?  Oh,  Jacob,  I  speak  as  a 
friend,  as  a  brother.  My  own  conscience  would 
rack  me  if  I  held  my  tongue.  To  save  souls  is 
man's  noblest  duty  ;  wake  up,  wake  up,  speak  out 
your  contrition  !  "  SloAvly  Mr.  Japheth  raised  his 
head.  But  humbled  as  he  was  and  fully  pursuaded 
of  his  sinfulness,  his  jovial  nature  still  lingered  in 
the  corners  of  his  mouth  and  in  his  twinkling  eye  ; 
so  much  so  that  Dr.  Mather  half  believed  he  was 
only  shamming  humility. 

"  I  know  I've  done  wrong,"  he  replied  ;  "  but  do 
not  be  too  hard  on  me,  do  not  have  me  turned  out 
of  office ;  I  am  poor ;  in  this  little  cottage  lies  a 
bed-ridden  wife  ;  work  is  slack,  favor  me  with 
your  indulgence." 

"  Henceforth,  then,  you  will  do  your  duty  ?"  pur- 
sued Mr.  Barebones.  "  Promise  me  that,  and  Jacob, 
I  am  the  last  man  to  go  against  you.  Promise  me 
that  henceforward  every  sabbath-breaker  shall  be 


CHARTER   OAK.  71 

driven  to  the  meeting- liouse,  and  you  will  find  mo 
your  truest  friend.  But  if  3'ou  Avill  not  make  such 
a  promise,  then  must  we  have  another  tithing-man  ; 
even  this  very  morning  I  consulted  about  the  mat- 
ter with  Mr  Genness  and  our  minister,  but  we  came 
to  no  fixed  decision.  Speak,  Jacol^,  speak  out,  say 
*  yes,  I  will  do  my  dut3^'  " 

But  Mr.  Japheth  remained  mute.  "  The  road  to 
Zion  is  a  rough  road !"  he  snid  to  himself,  again 
bowing  his  head.  "  Aye,  a  very,  very  rough  road. 
Oh,  Lord,  Lord!"  Here  Wadsworth  took  Dr. 
Mather's  arm  and  drew  him  away.  The  truth  is 
the  Captain  was  at  last  thoroughly  disgusted  wath 
Mr.  Barebones,  and  did  not  care  to  wait  and  see 
what  might  be  the  result  of  the  lecture.  He 
doubted,  however,  whether  Jacob  Japheth  would 
give  in  and  promise  to  become  more  strict.  Twice, 
as  they  proceeded  along  the  street,  Wadsworth 
turned  and  gazed  towards  the  tithing-man's  cabin, 
and  as  he  did  so  hoped  to  find  Lydia  following 
them.  But  the  girl  did  not  appear.  She  was  en- 
gaged in  her  charitable  work,  distributing  cakes 
and  tarts  to  the  poor  man's  children,  sj^eaking 
words  of  comfort  to  the  bed-ridden  wife,  and  had 
iio  idea  of  returning  to  his  house  for  an  hour  or 
more.  TVhen  the  Captain  got  home,  he  found  Pru- 
dence and  Miss  Crabtree  engaged  in  a  violent  dis- 
pute about  something,  and   it  requii-*  d  all  the  roT- 


72  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

erence  which  his  aunt  felt  for  Dr.  Mather  to  make 
her  hold  her  tongue.  But  even  the  minister's  pres- 
ence could  not  calm  her  all  at  once,  and  her  top- 
knot continued  jerking  backwards  and  forwards  for 
several  minutes  after  he  had  entered. 

"  Prudence,  Prudence  !"  she  kept  saying  between 
her  teeth,  "  jou've  spoilt  the  girl  ;  aye !  ^  iss 
Ljdia's  spoilt,  ruined,  unless  she  owns  the  coven- 
ant. And  she's  taken  away  my  best  basket  too. 
I'll  never  see  it  again  !" 

"While  she  was  thus  giving  vent  to  her  rage,  Pru- 
dence shppedupthe  staircase,  and  presently  Wads- 
worth,  Avithout  stopping  to  ask  what  was  the  mat- 
ter, ushered  his  guest  into  the  library.  As  they 
went  out  of  the  room.  Charity  stopped  her  angry 
mutterings  and  eyed  them  closely.  Oh,  what 
would  she  have  given  if  her  nephew  had  only  in- 
vited her  into  this  forbidden  chandler !  "  Well,  if  I 
can't  see  I  can  hear,"  she  said,  gliding  to  the  door 
and  putting  her  ear  to  the  key-hole.  But  just  as  they 
had  taken  their  seats  and  were  entering  into  conver- 
sation, she  heard  Prudence  coming  down  the  stair- 
case ;  so  with  as  little  noise  and  with  as  much  speed 
as  possible  she  went  back  to  her  oven,  where  she 
made  believe  she  had  been  steadilj^  at  work.  Yet 
at  the  same  time  her  ears  tingled,  for  she  was 
afraid  lest  the  other  might  have  detected  her 
eaves-dropping. 


cTTAr.TEr.  OAK.  7.; 

In  the  meanwliile,  Wadsworth  proceeded  to  ex- 
plain to  Dr.  Mather  how  Nancy  Clark  had  been 
situated  since  her  mother's  death  ;  how  that  good 
woman  and  Mr.  Clark  had  disagreed  on  the  sub- 
ject of  religion — ^he  being  an  Anglican  ;  how  the 
daughter  since  her  mother's  death  had,  without 
doubt,  been  forbidden  to  attend  meeting  ;  and  he 
finished  his  apology  for  the  young  woman  by  re- 
minding his  guest  that  it  was  she  who  had  warned 
Miss  Goffe  of  her  parent's  danger— a  noble  act, 
which  had  already  caused  her  to  be  driven  from 
home.  Increase  Mather  listened  attentively,  now 
and  then  raising  his  eyebrows,  and  at  one  time 
frowning  when  the  Captain  spoke  of  Mr.  Clark  as 
a  believer  in  the  Anglican  Church,  which  he  de- 
clared was  little  better  than  Popery. 

"  What  you  have  told  me,"  he  said,  when  his 
host  had  got  through,  "  hath  taken  a  load  off  my 
heart ;  for  I  did  greatly  wonder  at  your  saying 
Miss  Clark  was  a  god-fearing  body,  while  your 
aunt  gave  such  a  different  account  of  her.  I  hope 
your  explanation  is  correct.  Certainly  the  knowl- 
edge which  she  displayed  of  the  catechism  proves 
her  to  be  moi'e  devoted  to  religion  than  anybody 
supposed,  unless,  as  the  ruling  elder  declared,  'twas 
tlie  de\dl  whispered  the  answers.  I  advise  you, 
however,  to  pray  for  light ;  the  Lord  may  reveal 
if  the  young  woman  is  as  good  as  you  believe." 


"  Oh,  I  am  as  certain  of  it  as  I  am  of  my  exist' 
ence,"  exclaimed  Wadswortli ;  then  covering  his 
face  with  his  hands,  "  would,"  he  murmured,  "  that 
I  had  her  chance  of  salvation." 

"  But  what  an  awful  dream  your  aunt  had,"  pur- 
sued Mr.  Mather  ;  "  really  it  haunts  me." 

"Pray,  repeat  it,"  exclaimed  the  Captain,  un- 
covering his  face  and  turning  eagerly  towards  his 
guest ;  "  do  repeat  it  to  me." 

The  clergyman  now  related  word  for  word  the 
vision  which  Miss  Crabtree  had  told  him,  and  from 
the  solemn  way  he  spoke  it  was  evident  that  it  had 
made  a  deep  impression  on  his  mind,  while  Wads- 
worth  shuddered,  for  he  did  not  doubt  that  his  aunt 
had  had  such  a  vision.  Yet  he  could  not  beheve  that 
Nancy  Clark  had  done  anything  to  keep  Lydia 
from  meeting ;  no,  despite  his  faith  in  visions,  this 
Wadsworth  could  not  believe — if  the  regicide's 
daughter  stayed  away  it  must  be  of  her  own 
free  will.  He  knew  that  his  aunt  had  never 
liked  Nancy,  and  the  good  woman's  aversion  had 
doubtless  influenced  her  even  during  her  sleeping 
hours. 

"  Well,"  continued  the  divine,  "  if  you  really 
have  such  faith  in  the  young  woman,  then  you 
ought  to  take  her  for  your  wife.  Now  that  she  is 
living  away  from  her  father  she  ought  no  longer  to 
break  the  Sabbath,  but  should  tread  in  the  foot- 


CHARTER  OAK.  75 

cteps  of  her  venerated  mother ;  and  if  she  does  re- 
form then  I  repeat  yoii  ought  to  marry  her  and  not 
let  a  Satanic  vow  keep  you  in  your  present  loneljr 
state.  The  Lord  calleth  on  us  to  praise  Him,  yet 
if  we  do  not  raise  up  families,  where  will  be  the 
voices  to  sing  hallelujahs  when  you  and  I  have 
passed  away  ?  Miss  Goffe  far  excels  Nancy  Clark  in 
beauty  ;  but  beauty  is  a  fleeting  thing  ;  it  is  varnish 
which  time  rubs  off.  It  was  Miss  Clark  whom  you 
first  courted,  and  to  her  you  must  bind  yourself." 

"  You  give  me  wise  counsel,"  said  Wadsworth, 
"  and  if  I  follow  it  my  soul  will  be  at  peace  ;  but 
I'm  a  weak  mortal ;  pray  for  me  Dr.  Mather,  pray 
for  me!" 

"  Yes,  I  will  remember  you  on  the  Sabbath  and 
on  week  days,  for  something  tells  me  that  you  will 
need  more  than  ordinary  grace  not  to  stray  from 
the  path.  Souls  like  yours  are  the  most  severely 
tried  ;  but  your  victory  will  be  all  the  more  glorious. 
The  beauty  of  the  regicide's  daughter  as  far  ex- 
ceeds that  of  Nanc}^  Clark  as  a  blooming  rose  iu 
May  is  more  lovely  than  the  humble  violet  hidden 
in  the  grass.  But  remember,  beauty  is  not  every- 
thing, and  Nancy  Clark  has  a  claim  upon  you  Avhich 
no  other  woman  possesses." 

"  How  well  he  knows  what  troubles  me,"  thought 
Wadsworth,  pressing  his  hand  to  his  brow  ;  "  un- 
happy mortal  that  I  am  !" 


76  HOMANCE  OF  THE 

For  a  little  while  neither  of  them  spoke.  Mr. 
Mather,  at  length,  broke  the  silence,  by  informing 
his  host  that  he  would  h-ave  to  set  out  for  Boston 
that  \erj  afternoon  ;  then  went  on  to  repeat  whit 
he  had  already  told  him  about  defending  the 
charter.  But  he  did  not  speak  of  the  scheme  for 
a  revolution  and  independence,  wisely  thinking  that 
it  was  best  not  to  discourage  the  Captain.  He 
warned  him,  however,  against  dwelling  too  much 
on  this  exciting  subject ;  "  and  although,"  conclud- 
ed the  divine,  "  your  ruling  elder  is  a  man  not  al- 
together to  my  liking,  yet  he  deserves  praise  for 
his  zeal  in  rehgion.  Endeavor,  Mr.  "Wadsworth, 
to  correct  evil-doers,  not  alone  by  good  example 
but  by  frequent  visits  to  their  domiciles ;  let  not 
Beelzebub  get  more  headway ;  witches  are  be- 
coming numerous  in  the  land,  a  sure  sign  of  spirit- 
ual darkness." 

The  doctor  now  ran  his  eyes  over  the  Captain's 
books,  which  for  th  ose  days  formed  quite  a  respect- 
able collection,  and  remarking  that  there  was  no 
Pilgrim's  Progress  amongst  them,  told  his  host 
that  he  would  send  him  one  immediateh^  He 
likewise  promised,  as  soon  as  it  should  appear,  a 
copy  of  his  work  entitled  Remarkable  Providences. 
With  this,  doctor  Mather  left  the  study  and  passed 
a  pleasant  hour  in  the  comjiany  of  the  regicide, 
several  times  asking  the  old  gentleman  where  his 


CHARTER   OAK.  77 

drtugliter  was,  and  saying  bow  much  he  would  regret 
if  he  departed  without  enjoying  a  conversation  wdth 
one  whose  appearance  had  struck  him  as  that  of  no 
ordinary  Avoman.  Yet  it  was  perhaps  well  that  Lydia 
and  he  did  not  again  meet,  for  it  had  been  the 
minister's  intention  to  question  her  about  Nan- 
cy, and  Hkewise  impress  upon  her  the  danger 
to  her  body,  as  well  as  her  soul,  if  she  did  not  go  to 
meeting,  and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  re- 
sult of  his  lecture  would  have  been  a  quarrel.  So, 
Increase  Mather  shook  hands  with  Colonel  Goffe 
with  a  heavy  heart,  nor  was  it  till  long  after  he  had 
drawn  the  moose-skin  covering  over  his  head  and 
started  on  his  way  back  to  Massachussetts,  that  the 
girl  made  her  appearance,  with  Charity's  basket  on 
her  arm,  and  a  smile  on  her  face,  which  seemed  to 
grow  all  the  brighter  when  Goody  GarHc  told  her 
that  the  great  man  had  gone.  That  evening,  when 
Lydia  took  her  place  at  the  supper-table,  it  was 
remarked  that  she  did  not  speak  a  word  about  the 
divine.  But  what  annoyed  Miss  Crabtree  more 
than  anything  the  girl  had  done  since  she  had 
come  to  Hartford,  was  the  violent  fit  of  laughter  she 
gave  way  to  when  the  aunt  inquired  of  Wads  worth 
how  he  had  got  such  an  ugly  tear  in  his  coat  ?  Yes, 
Lydia  laughed  till  the  tears  ran  down  her  cheeks, 
nor  did  Prudence's  beseeching  countenance  have 
any  effect— the  widow's  account  of  the  storj^  was 


78  EOMANCE   OF   THE 

danoing  through  her  mind,  and  all  the  Goodj 
Garhcs  in  the  world  could  not  have  made  her  look 
grave. 


CHAPTEE  XXVII. 

The  address  which  Increase  Mather  had  deliver- 
ed to  the  freemen  when  they  had  called  on  him  at 
Wadsworth's  house,  and  the  reply  of  Israel  Bare- 
bones,  was  for  several  days  the  sole  topic  of  conver- 
sation in  Hartford.  Among  the  members  of  the  train- 
band, the  peace  policy  of  the  ruling  elder  found  at 
first  little  or  no  favor ;  but  the  old  men,  those  who 
had  fought  against  the  Pequots,  and  whose  declin- 
ing years  had  witnessed  the  struggle  with  King 
Philip,  expressed  their  belief  in  the  wisdom  of  his 
counsel — they  wanted  no  more  bloodshed.  When- 
ever Adams,  however,  heard  any  of  these  grey- 
heads  talking  in  this  strain  he  would  frown  and 
swear  in  undertones,  while,  if  they  entered  the  Or- 
dinary, he  would  show  them  very  little  respect ;  and 
(nee  when  he  felt  Mr.  Barebones  brush  past  him, 
and  heard  the  goodman  impressing  on  Mr.  Gen- 
ness  the  folly  of  taking  up  arms  against  Andros,  he 
clenched  his  fist  and  came  very  near  shaking  it  at 
the  ruling  elder,     As  for  Nathaniel  Clark,  his  jubi- 


CHARTER  OAK.  79 

lant  countenance  told  plainly  eno?.igli  what  ho 
thonght  of  this  growing  diversity  of  sentiment 
among  the  people,  but  he  wisely  refrained  fi-o.m 
fiiiying  anything;  while  the  one  to  svliom  the  train- 
band looked  for  «3heering  words,  maintained  an  un- 
accountable reserve.  "What  does  Captain  Joe 
think  about  it  ?"  was  asked  a  dozen  times  a  day,  and 
it  required  all  the  reverence  which  Simon  had  for 
his  chief  not  to  class  him  among  the  renegades. 
Poor  Wadsworth !  little  did  they  know  the  trials  of 
his  soul  during  the  few  days  after  the  minister's 
departure.  How  often  did  his  eyes  glance  at  the 
sword  hanging  on  the  library  wall,  then  on  the 
map !  How  often  did  he  beat  his  breast  and  struggle 
to  overcome  the  Evil  Spirit,  who  was  tempting  him 
with  greater  violence  than  ever !  It  was  while  he 
was  in  one  of  his  darkest  moods  that  there  came  a 
tap  on  the  door.  At  first  he  did  not  answer,  nor 
was  it  until  it  had  been  repeated  that  he  said  in  a 
hoarse  tone — "  come  in."  In  another  moment, 
Lydia  stood  before  him.  Her  host's  disturbed  look 
made  the  girl  fear  lest  she  might  have  been  indis- 
creet in  intruding  just  then,  and  so  she  hesitated 
about  speaking ;  while  Wadsworth,  too,  was  silent, 
but  his  heart  throbbed,  the  blood  rushed  to  his 
cheeks.  "  Oh  why,"  he  said  to  himself,  "  why 
have  you  come  at  this  moment  to  tempt  me  ?"  yet 
)ie  did  not  close  his  eyes,  he  did  not  Avave  her  back, 


80  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

but  gazing  at  her  an  instant  with  an  expression 
which  terrified  her  by  its  yerj  intensity,  he  threw 
himself  upon  his  knees,  then  taking  one  of  her 
bands,  pressed  it  against  his  brow. 

"  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  said  Lydia,  concealing  by  a 
strong  effort  the  astonishment  she  felt  at  his  be- 
havior, "  Mr.  Wadsworth,  I  am  here  to  comfort 
you ;  I  know  your  grief,  nor  do  I  wonder  at  your 
making  a  prisoner  of  yourself  in  this  room.  I 
know  that  the  words  which  Israel  Barebones  ad- 
dressed to  the  freemen  a  few  days  ago,  have  caused 
a  number  of  them  to  fall  away  from  your  conspir  • 
acy ;  shame  on  them  !  O  God,  w^ould  that  I  had 
Qot  been  born  a  woman  !"  Here  she  paused  and 
glanced  at  the  Captain's  sword ;  then,  without  en- 
deavoring to  free  her  hand  from  his,  she  went  on 
urging  him  not  to  cease  his  efforts  to  rouse  the 
people  to  arms,  and  as  her  words,  so  full  of  enthu- 
siasm, fell  upon  his  ear,  he  gazed  at  her  counten- 
ance and  quivered  in  every  limb  ;  then,  suddenly, 
with  a  cry  of  anguish,  he  flung  her  hand  away  and 
told  her  to  begone.  Lydia  was  startled,  and  well 
she  might  be— his  constant  brooding  on  one  great 
idea  had  certainly  turned  his  brain.  "  Oh  yes,  it 
has  it  has,"  she  said  half  aloud,  "  I  was  wrong  to 
speak  about  revolution." 

"  "Why  do  you   stay  here  ?"  he  continued,  impa- 
tiently motioning  her  away.     "  Have  I  not  sinned 


CHARTEH   OAK.  81 

enough  ?  pluck  out  my  eyes  that  I  may  not  see 
you,  or  draw  a  hot  iron  across  your  face,  'twill  rob 
it  of  that  which  may  prove  my  damnation  !  then 
bowing  his  head,  he  murmured,  "  Nancy,  Nancy  !" 

"  Aye,  well  may  your  voice  falter  at  her  name,' 
pursued  Lydia,  who  of  course  did  not  dream  what 
a  bitter  memory  was  torturing  him. 

"Oh,  spare  me,  Viss  Goffe,  spare  me!"  he 
groaned,  "  yet  no,  do  not ;  I  am  a  miserable  wretch ! 
heap  on  my  head  coals  of  fire.  Better  that  I  should 
suffer  in  this  life  than  hereafter." 

"  I  know  well,"  pursued  Lydia,  "  that  my  friend 
was  cruelly  wronged  the  other  day  by  Mr.  Bare- 
bones,  and  that  you  stood  by  a  silent  witness.  Dr. 
Mather,  too,  was  there.  Poor  Nancy !  well  may 
you  reproach  yourself  for  not  having  taken  her 
part.  Alas !  the  shadow  of  Increase  Mather  was 
pressing  upon  you  like  an  avalanche.  Is  he  in- 
spired that  he  should  lead  you  like  a  sheep  ?  And 
our  ruling  elder — why  do  you  not  brush  him  aside? 
The  cruel  fanatic !  Wake  up,  Wadsworth,  theie 
hangs  your  sword !  defend  Nancy  from  Israel  Bare- 
bones,  who  will  have  her  soon  in  an  iron  cage  un- 
less she  go  to  meeting.  Oh,  I  ^Aould  sit  in  one 
until  my  hair  turned  grey  before  I  would  bend  to 
your  intolerant  laws."  I  lean  upon  you,  sir;  you 
are  my  father's  protector ;  do  not  refuse  to  help 
another  friendless  creature  ?" 


82  llOMANCE   OF   'JBE 

Unspeakable  was  the  relief  of  Wadsworth,  as  soon 
as  he  discovered  that  Lydia  was  not  alludiug  to 
the  intimacy  which  had  formerly  existed  between 
himself  and  Nancy  Clark.  When  she  had  begun 
to  speak  he  had  felt  as  if  he  would  have  sunk  on 
the  floor  for  very  shame.  But  now,  when  he  found 
that  the  girl  was  only  referring  to  the  inquisitorial 
visit  which  he  had  paid  the  widow  Bull,  he  drew  a 
long  breath — aye,  a  very  long  breath.  "  I  will  pro- 
tect her  ;  yes,  I  will,"  he  exclaimed.  "  Our  ruling 
elder,  who  is  obliged  to  visit  the  places  where  he 
suspects  sin  abideth,  is  rather  harsh  in  the  perform- 
ance of  his  duty,  but  he  never  shall  harm  Nancy 
Clark,  who  I  know  is  not  a  willful  sabbath-breaker; 
no,  never." 

"  Well,  you  ought  to  be  her  friend,"  continued 
Lydia,  little  dreaming  what  a  stab  she  was  about 
to  give  the  figure  kneeling  at  her  feet,  "  if  it*s  only 
for  her  kindness  to  Miles  Standish.  Nancy  fon- 
dles him  and — " 

"  Hush,"  cried  Wadsworth,  springing  up  and 
clenching  his  fists,  "  hush,  tell  me  no  more  !  Oh, 
God  !  were  you  sent  here  to  rack  my  soul,  and  give 
me  hell  on  earth  ?  go,  go,  go  !'' 

His  wild  expression  warned  the  girl  that  she 
must  not  hesitate  to  obey,  and  more  convinced  than 
ever  that  her  host  was  demented,  she  turned  and 
left  the  room.     Miss  Crabti-ee,  who  had  seen  hei 


CHARTER   OAK.  83 

enter  the  library,  narrowly  scanned  her  counte- 
nance as  she  re-appeared.  The  dame,  be  it  known, 
had  cherished  great  hopes  from  Dr.  Mather's 
visit ;  she  was  not  ignorant  of  the  advice  he  had 
given  her  nephew,  and  still  believed  that  if  the 
latter  only  made  a  determined  effort,  he  might  win 
the  hand  of  his  fair  guest,  while  her  anxiety  to  have 
him  marry  the  regicide's  daughter  had  at  length 
become  so  great  that  she  would  have  been  willing 
to  have  had  him  abate  somewhat  his  fasting  and 
prayers ;  nay,  she  was  even  beginning  to  wish  that 
the  Sabbath  sermons  had  been  less  full  of  brim- 
stone and  hell-fire,  for  then  Lydia  might  have  been 
less  shy  about  owning  the  covenant. 

"Is  Joe  going  to  ride  with  you  this  afternoon?'* 
she  inquired,  seeing  the  girl  putting  on  her  cloak, 
and  speaking  as  mildly  as  possible. 

Lydia  shook  her  head  and  replied,  "  I  wish  he 
would,  yes,  I  really  do." 

•*  What  is  the  matter  now  ?"  thought  the  dame, 
who  fancied  that  she  perceived  in  Lydia's  words  a 
certain  tenderness  for  her  nephew.  "  Here  is  the 
girl  wanting  Joe  to  go  out  and  he  won't  go  ;  what 
is  the  matter  now  ?     It  must  be  Nancy  Clark." 

Leaving  the  old  lady  in  this  perplexed  mood,  the 
regicide's  daughter  hastened  to  the  widow  Bull's, 
where  she  had  resolved  to  pass  as  many  hours  aa 
possible  during  the  next  few  days,  for  she  felt  that 


81:  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

Nancy  needed  some  one  to  comfort  her.     As  she 
walked  along  the  street  she  aj^peared  to  those  who 
met  her,  or  who  gazed  at  her  from  the  windows,  to 
be  more  than  usually  sedate.     Her  step,  it  is  tnie, 
was  as  elastic  as  ever,  yet  she  did  not  wear  the 
careless,  somewhat  haughty  expression,  which  she 
generally  did ;  and  Mrs.  Philbrick,  who  had  dropped 
in  to  gossip  with  Tom  Hubbard's  mother,  declared 
that  Charity  Crabtree  was  mean  not  to  tell  more  of 
what  was  going  on  between  her  nephew  and  this 
handsome  stranger,  who  had   caused  such  a  stir 
among  the  young  men  of  Hartford.     Mrs.  Hubbard 
rejoined  by  expressing  her  belief  that  the  Captain 
could  not  do  otherwise  than  marry  the  girl.     She 
had  been  with  him  now  almost  a  month,  he  had 
taken  her  riding  on  his  pillion,  a  thing  he  never 
had  done  to  any  other  young  woman ;  in  fact  she 
declared  that  Wadswoxth  would    be   little   better 
than  a  fool  if  he  allowed  such  a  handsome  lass  to 
escape  him.     Perhaps,  had    Mrs.    Hubbard   been 
blessed  with  daughters  of  a  marriageable  age,  she 
might  not  not  have  discoursed  in  this  charitable 
vein  of  Miss  Goffe  ;  certain  it  is,  that  Mrs.  Phil- 
brick,  who  had  a  couple  of  bouncing  girls  of  nine- 
teen and  twenty,  with  faces  a  little  too  round,  it  is 
true,  yet   on  the  whole  comely  enough  and  with 
bodies  no  less  finely  developed  than  the  regicide's 
daughter,  felt  extremely  jealous  of  the  latter,     Her 


CHARTER   OAK.  85  . 

mother's  eye  blinded  lier  to  tlie  fact  that  they  lacked 
the  air  of  nobility,  the  ambition,  the  breadth  of 
mind,  which  had  given  Lydia  such  a  hold  upon 
Wadsworth,  and  that,  had  they  been  ever  as  beauti- 
ful, they  could  never  have  inspired  him  with  a  simi- 
lar passion. 

"True,"  said  Mrs.  Philbrick,  "she's  passably 
good-looking.  But  is  she  possessed  of  a  spirit  of 
godliness — which,  after  all,  is  the  main  thing? 
Mark  my  words,  Captain  Joe  ain't  likely  to  take  a 
girl  for  his  wife,  who  stays  away  from  meeting  and 
passes  half  her  time  in  companj-  with  Nancy  Clark 
• — a  strange  being,  as  everybody  knows,  one  who 
wanders  off  by  herself  when  we're  singing  psalms 
and  listening  to  the  sermon,  and  in  my  opinion 
holds  communion  with  the  powers  of  darkness. 

This  was  an  objection  which  the  other  gossip 
found  it  difficult  to  answer,  and  so  she  kept  silent. 
Her  friend,  however,  went  on  and  in  a  more  ani- 
mated voice — "  don't  you  remember?"  she  said, 
"  the  queer  turn  things  took  at  the  husking  party 
Captain  Joe  gave?  I  watched  this  new  comer 
pretty  sliavp  the  whole  evening,  and  I  know  she  was 
at  the  bottom  of  the  sin  we  committed  on  that 
never  to  be  forgotten  occasion.  'Twas  she  who  got 
us  to  dance,  and  yet  didn't  dance  herself — not 
she !  She  sat  whispering  to  the  stranger  who  was 
blowing  into  that  horrid  looking  bag  which  squeaked 


So  EOMANCE   OF  THE 

Vike  SO  many  dying  pigs  ;  and  I  believe  if  the  truth 
were  known,  you'd  find  that  'twixt  him  and  her 
there's  more  intimacy  than  there'll  ever  be  'twixt 
her  and  Captain  Jo©," 

"  Well,  but  she  may  change,  now  that  Increasb 
Mather  has  passed  a  day  at  Wadsworth's ;  the 
doctor  has  wonderful  influence  over  folks,  and  one 
lecture  from  him  would  cure  the  girl  of  sabbath- 
breaking.  No,  I  cannot  believe  that  such  an  un- 
common fine  creature — and  to  tease  her  friend  she 
laid  great  stress  on  the  word  uncommon — will  re- 
fuse much  longer  to  own  the  covenant." 

"  Well,  she'd  better  make  haste  if  she  expects  us 
to  treat  her  ;iny  way  civil.  I  don't  believe  in  hold 
ing  communion  with  the  ungodly,"  rejoined  Mrs. 
Philbrick,  her  jealous  eyes  all  the  while  following 
Lydia,  who  by  this  time  had  nearly  reached  the 
bridge. 

*'  Well,  to  change  the  subject,"  pursued  Mrs. 
Hubbard,  drawing  her  chair  a  little  closer  to  her 
friend,  "  have  you  heard  anything  new  to  day  ? 
The  times  is  awful  dull ;  anything  new,  Mrs.  Phil- 
brick  ?" 

*'  Not  a  word,"  repKed  the  other.  "  Provoking, 
too,  for  I  know  there's  lots  going  on  ;  always  is 
when  things  look  smooth.  My  gals  has  been 
spinnin',  and  Pve  been  churnin',  and  we  aint  heard 
a  word." 


CHARTER   OAK.  87 

"  Well,  /  have  got  hold  of  something,  something 
that'll  cause  a  heap  of  talk- — ^just  guess  what  it  in, 
Mrs.  Philbrick." 

"  Shah  !  don't  keep  me  waitin,* "  returned  the 
other,  withdrawing  her  head  from  the  window,  *'  for 
goodness  sake,  speak  out." 

"  Well,  Miss  Clark  has  been  driven  from  home 
and  is  now  staying  at  the  widow  Bull's." 

"  No  !  really  ?— truly  ?— Is  it  a  fact  ?" 

"  True  as  I'm  here,"  continued  Mrs.  Hubbard. 

"  Well,  that — is — news  !" 

"  But,  Ma,  you  ain't  lieerd  all,"  said  Tom  Hub- 
bard, who  had  just  dropped  in  to  visit  Dorothy. 
"I've  heerd  something  that's  done  me  more  good 
than  if  I'd  found  a  hundred  pine-tree  shillings  in 
the  road.  Ha — ha — ha  !  I  wish  I'd  been  there  to 
see  it.     Ha — ha — ha  !" 

"  What  is  it,  my  boy  ?  what  is  it  ?"  cried  his  mo- 
ther. "  Don't  fool  us  Tom,  or  I'll  box  your  ears  ; 
speak  out,  or  go  about  your  business."  But  the  lad 
who  wanted  to  try  their  patience  did  not  say  a  word, 
and  it  was  not  until  he  had  placed  himself  next  to 
Dorothy,  and  nudged  her  with  his  elbow,  that  he 
went  on.  "  Old  Israel  Barebones,"  he  said,  "  got 
a  drubbing.  Yes,  Mrs.  Bull  laid  a  rope  across  his 
back,  and  made  him  scamper  and  '  holler'  as  if  a 
nest    of    hornets    was    after    him — ha,   ha,  ha  1" 


88  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

You'd  never  have  thought  he  had  a  sore  foot  to  se<j 
the  tracks  he  made  for  the  door,  ha,  ha,  ha  !" 

"  Not  possible  ?"  exclaimed  in  one  voice  his  mo- 
ther, Mrs.  Philbrick,  and  the  Misses  Philbrick. 

"  Why,  she's  bragging  about  it  all  over  town," 
pursued  the  lad;  "her  tongue's  a  goin'  clatter, 
clatter,  clatter,  like  a  mill  wheel  in  a  freshet." 

"Well,  well,  well!"  ejaculated  Mrs.  Hubbard, 
"  that  is  news  worth  hearing." 

"  Verily,  we  live  in  wonderful  times,"  returned 
Mrs.  Philbrick,  "  in  wonderful  times.  How  will  it 
all  end?" 

"  Don't  know  and  don't  care,"  pursued  Tom, 
grinning.  "  If  there's  only  a  jolly  row,  that's  all  I 
want ;  ha,  ha,  ha  !" 

"  But  when  did  this  happen  ?"  inquired  Dorothy. 

"  The  day  Increase  Mather  was  here,  my  love. 
Old  Darebones  took  him  to  the  widow's  to  see  if 
there  wasn't  a  devil  livin'  there,  and  sure  enough 
the  ruling  elder  found  one — ha,  ha,  ha  !" 

Leaving  them  to  discuss  this  exciting  piece  of 
news,  we  will  return  to  Lydia,  who  is  now  with- 
in a  step  of  the  bridge,  at  this  moment  crowded 
with  people,  among  whom  she  espied  Adams,  and 
as  he  was  gazing  down  at  the  stream  she  hoped  he 
would  not  discover  her  going  by.  In  this,  however, 
she  was  disappointed.  Scarcely  had  she  set  foot 
on  the  bridge  when  he  turned  round,  and  on  his 


CHAKTEil   OAK.  89 

face  was  the  same  bloodthirsty  expression  which 
had  shocked  her  so  much  once  before. 

"  Why  do  you  shrink  from  me  ?"  he  said,  in  a 
smotherd  tone  and  placing  himself  beside  her,  "  If 
^  you  knew  how  I  feel  toward  you,  Miss  Goffe,  you 
would  treat  me  differently.  When  I  tapped  my 
finger  on  this  dagger  a  few  evenings  ago,  and 
sw^ore  vengeance  against  a  certain  person,  you  grew 
white  with  terror  and  havn't  got  over  it  yet.  Stay 
— do  not  walk  so  fast — listen  to  me." 

Half  afraid  of  opposing  him,  Lydia  halted :  "  We 
used  to  be  friends,  Adams,*'  she  replied,  "  speak,  I 
will  Hsten." 

"  Oh  yes,  Miss,  friends,  firm  friends — and  if  you 
have  liked  me  as  I  have  liked  you,  our  friendship 
will  not  break  for  a  trifle.  Havn't  I  known  you 
since  you  were  a  babe  ?  Didn't  I  guide  Prudence 
Garlic  through  the  wilderness,  she  can-ying  you  in 
her  arms,  to  where  your  father  was  concealed? 
Think  of  the  reward  I  might  have  obtained  had  I 
revealed  the  place  of  his  retreat.  Many  a  time 
have  I  been  asked  by  the  King's  friends,  who  knew 
that  I  roved  through  every  part  of  the  country,  il 
I  could  tell  them  ought  about  Goffe  the  regicide. 
But  I  was  never  even  tempted  to  betray  him,  no, 
never." 

"  May  the  Lord  bless  you  for  your  fidelity,"  mur- 
mured Lydia,  who  saw  in  him  now,  only  the  same 


90      •  EOMA^CE   OF   THE 

kiDdlj  being  v/hose  visits  to  the  log  cabin  had 
made  such  happy  breaks  in  the  monotony  of  hef 
forest-hfe. 

"  Well,  Miss,  it  is  because  I  am  your  friend  that 
I  wish  to  shield  you  from  every  evil ;  even  this  will 
I  use  if  need  be  to  prove  it,"  and  as  he  spoke  he 
again  clutched  the  handle  of  his  dagger.  "  But  tell 
me,  who  was  that  stranger  who  played  the  bag- 
pipes at  the  husking?"  The  girl  did  not  answer. 
"  Can  you  feel  any  thing  but  hatred  for  him  ?"  con- 
tinued Simon,  in  a  voice  low  and  soft — yet  no  tiger's 
eyes  had  ever  glared  with  more  fury  than  did  his  at 
this  moment — "  since  it  must  have  been  he  who 
caught  that  fatal  ghmpse  of  your  father,  for  I  am 
sure  the  old  gentleman  peeped  into  the  barn  to 
look  at  the  dancing.  Oh  tell  me,  Lydia,  tell  me 
his  name?  Do  not  fear  that  I  will  reveal  it  to 
others ;  my  tongue  is  not  a  woman's  tongue  ;  it  can 
keep  a  secret.  However  much  you  may  once  have 
liked  him,  now  you  can  only  view  him  with  loathing. 
Do  tell  me  his  name  ;  only  this  dagger  and  myself 
shall  possess  the  secret." 

Lydia  trembled — what  could  she  do  ?  One  of 
Simon's  rough  hands  was  clasping  her  wrist,  in  her 
very  agitation  he  could  read  the  truth  of  all  his 
dark  suspicions. 

"  Yes,  he  betrayed  me,"  she  sighed,  "  but  I  will 
not  betray  him.     Synnot's  blood  shall  m^i  be  on 


CHAKTER   OAK.  91 

my  hands ;  no,  no !"  Then  fearful  of  meeting  Adams' 
glance,  she  turned  her  face  away  and  stood  with- 
out answering  his  question.  It  was  whilst  she  was 
in  this  perplexed  state,  hardly  knowing  what  to  do, 
that  Jacob  Japheth  came  up.  The  poor  fellow  had 
evidently  some  trouble  of  his  own,  for  he  did  not 
whistle,  or  offer  his  hand  in  his  usual  frank,  jovial 
way,  but  without  any  ceremony  pulled  Lydia's  sleeve 
and  told  her  that  he  wanted  to  speak  with  her  apart. 
This  proved  for  the  girl  a  happy  escape  from 
Mad  Adams,  who  with  a  muttered  oath  allowed  her 
to  free  her  wrist  and  walk  off  with  the  tithing-man. 

"  I  suppose,  Miss,"  began  Mr.  Japheth,  looking 
her  full  in  the  face,  "  that  the  tavern-keeper  hai; 
been  telling  you  what  happened  yesterday  at  the 
widow  Bull's,  and  I  see  it  has  worried  you.  Well, 
so  it  has  me.  Nothing  that  has  occurred  in  Hart- 
ford for  a  twelvemonth  past  has  made  me  feel  so 
bad." 

"  Oh,  yes,  the  poor  widow !"  exclaimed  Lydia, 
glad  to  have  the  current  of  her  thoughts  changed. 

"  And  the  poor  young  woman  now  living  with 
her,"  pursued  Jacob,  "  'twas  thinking  of  her,  that 
kept  me  awake  the  past  night.  Oh,  what  am  I  to 
do?" 

*'  Well,  what  is  the  trouble  now,  is  my  friend  ill?" 
inquired  Lydia. 

"  No,   not   ill.     But  you   must  know   that   our 


92  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

ruling  elder  has  proposed  to  have  a  cage  got 
for  sabbath-breakers — he's  been  talking  to  the  peo- 
ple about  it  the  whole  day,  and  somehow  thev 
appear  more  willing  to  listen  to  him  than  for 
merly.  And  Mr.  Barebones  has  threatened  tv) 
have  me  put  out  of  office  unless  I  make  a  com- 
plaint against  Nancy.  He  says  my  blind  eye  shan't 
excuse  me  any  longer;  and  I  have  promised  him 
to  do  my  duty  more  faithfully.  But  how  can  1  com- 
plain against  her — dear,  good  soul  ?  No,  by  jingo, 
I  won't '  I'll  sooner  resign.  Folks  '11  not  think  su 
much  of  me  perhaps ;  they  may  not  give  me  any 
more  shoes  to  mend,  and  as  my  Avife  can't  do  a 
stitch  of  work  I'll  be  hard  pushed  to  get  enough  to 
feed  and  clothe  my  family  ;  but  for  all  that  I'll  let 
them  turn  me  out  of  office,  rather  than  injure  your 
Mend."  Here  he  paused  a  moment  and  brushed 
away  a  tear.  "  But  you'll  promise  me.  Miss,"  he 
continued,  "  to  try  and  get  Nancy  Clark  to  go  to 
meeting.  Oh,  do  !  not  that  such  a  religious,  gentle 
body  needs  to  sing  psalms,  and  listen  to  sermons 
on  hell,  an  hour  long  ;  bulthe  law  against  sabbath- 
breakers  is  plain,  and  unless  she  obeys  she'll  have 
to  suffer." 

"  I  promise,  Mr.  Japheth,  to  do  as  you  request,'' 
replied  Lydia.  "  But  what  if  she  were  to  go  to  meet- 
ing and  I  still  continue  to  absent  mjself— what 


CHAllEll   OAK.  93 

"  Then,  Miss,  'twill  be  you  they'll  set  in  the  cage. 
Oh,  dear,  dear!  may  I  never  live  to  see  that  day  !" 

"  You  never  will,  sir,"  exclaimed  Lydia  in  a  firm 
tone.  "  A  revolution  is  coming,  and  these  absurd 
laws  will  be  trampled  under  foot.  Yes,  Mr.  Wads- 
worth's  sublime  idea  will  be  reahzed,  and  we  will 
enjoy  religious  as  well  as  political  freedom." 

Mr.  Japheth  shook  his  head.  "  I  wish  I  had 
your  faith  in  the  success  of  the  Captain's  con- 
spiracy," he  added.  "  But  now,  Miss,  I  must  leav< 
you  ;  yes,  I'll  have  to  go.  See !  yonder  is  Mr. 
Barebones  waving  his  hand."  With  this  Jacob 
Japheth  hastened  down  to  the  river  bank  whei'e 
the  ruling  elder  was  calling  him,  while  Lydia  re- 
mained a  few  minutes  watching  the  movements  of 
the  latter,  and  found  that  he  was  having  one  of  his 
new-fangled  ducking  stools  placed  between  the 
willow  ti'ee  and  the  bridge.  Although  the  air  was 
cliilly,  Israel  Barebones  had  thrown  off  his  coat, 
and  with  sleeves  tucked  up,  was  evidently  much  ex- 
cited over  his  work,  while  his  hat,  which  had  blow]  I 
into  the  water,  did  not  seem  to  give  him  a  moment's 
thought,  nor  did  he  say  thanks  to  the  urchin  who 
was  trying  to  fish  it  out.  "It's  not  to  punish  the 
flesh,  I'm  doing  this,"  he  exclaimed,  in  a  loud  tone, 
as  Mr.  Japheth  came  uj),  "  Oh,  no,  it's  for  the  good 
of  men's  souls  and,  for  the  honor  and  glory  of  God.'' 

These  words  so  vexed  Lvdia,  that  she  would  not 


94  ROMANCE   OF   THl! 

stay  to  hear  more,  and  with  a  defiant  expression 
and  a  toss  of  lier  head,  resumed  her  walk  to  the 
south  end  of  the  town. 

"  Aye,  you  and  T  agree  about  him,"  whispered  a 
voice,  after  she  had  proceeded  a  few  steps.  "  But 
there  are  so  many  Israel  Barebones  in  the  country 
that  I'm  afraid  ducking  stools  won't  be  done  away 
with,  unless  Captain  Joe  succeeds  in  rousing  the 
people  to  revolution." 

"May  the  Lord  prosper  his  scheme,"  replied 
Lydia,  quickly  recovering  from  the  agitation  which 
Adams'  unwelcome  presence  had  caused.  "  Oh,  if 
T  were  only  a  man." 

"You'd  be  worth  a  regiment,"  pursued  the 
tavern-keeper.  "But,  Miss  Goffe,  do  you  know, 
what  I  am  going  to  do,  if  I  get  a  chance  ?  I'll  cut 
this  new-fangled  machine  adrift,  as  I  did  the  old  one. 
Ha  !  what'll  Barebones  say  then  ?" 

The  girl  smiled,  and  was  on  the  point  of  telling 
him  that  if  the  cage  for  sabbath-breakers  arrived, 
it,  too,  must  be  thrown  into  the  river,  when  her 
attention  was  drawn  to  a  woman  who  was  running 
towards  them,  snapping  a  rope  above  her  head, 
and  whose  whole  appearance  was  that  of  a  creature 
escaped  from  Bedlam. 

"  I  thrashed  him  yesterda}^,"  screamed  the  widow 
Bull,  for  it  was  she — "  the  hypocrite  !  the  toad ! 
the  scullion  !     And  he  won't  get  over  it  in  a  month  ; 


CHakter  oak.  95 

no,  by  all  the  sharks  be  won't !  Tbis  rope,  Gotl 
bless  it,  bas  tbrasbed  many  a  lazy  lout  aboard  the 
Polly  Ann.  But  it  never  was  laid  across  sucb  a 
varmint  as  the  one  it  walloped  yesterday.  Ob, 
Israel  Barebones,  don't  your  coat  smell  of  tar  ?" 

Mrs.  Bull's  Toice  was  vibrating  between  a  roar 
and  a  yt'll ;  her  face  was  livid  with  rage,  and  her 
hood,  u^hicb  bad  fallen  back,  had  let  loose  a  mass 
of  flaming  red  hair,  done  up  in  ringlets  and  tied 
with  ribbons  of  various  colors.  Lydia  perceived 
at  a  glance  the  danger  to  which  the  good  woman 
would  expose  herself,  unless  she  immediately  held 
her  tongue  ;  so,  catching  the  rope,  she  endeavored 
to  pull  it  out  of  her  hand,  and  at  the  same  time 
implored  her  to  be  still.  But  as  well  might  she 
have  tried  to  hold  fast  one  of  the  shrouds  of  the  Polly 
Ann  when  it  was  blown  about  in  a  squall. 

"  I  can't.  Miss,  I  can't  help  it,"  cried  the  widow, 
softening  her  voice  a  little  when  she  recognized 
her  friend.  "  No,  I  really  can't  help  it.  There's  a 
hurricane  inside  of  me  and  it's  got  to  blow  out  ;  let 
me  go !" 

But  Lydia,  who  firmly  believed  that  the  dame 
was  bent  on  giving  the  ruling  elder  auother  casti- 
gation,  grasped  her  frock  and  held  her  back  with 
all  her  might  and  main,  and  as  she  was  strong, 
though  not  quite  as  powerful  as  the  widow,  the 
course  of  the  latter  was   sufficiently   retarded   to 


9G  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

allow  a  third  part}^  to  overtake  her.  This  was 
Nancy  Clark,  who  had  been  chasing  Mrs.  Bull  all 
the  way  from  the  cabin. 

*'Oh,Lydia,  do  help  me  bring  her  home,"  the  young 
woman  gasped ;  "  or,  or,  dear  knows  what'll  happen." 

"  But  you  can't  stop  me,"  screamed  the  widow, 
brealdng  loose  from  both  of  them,  "  make  way, 
folks;  room,  room.  I  want  to  show  up  the  biggest 
varmint  in  Connecticut." 

With  Lydia,  still  retaining  a  slim  hold  of  her 
gown,  and  Nancy  fallowing  as  close  as  possible, 
Mrs.  Bull  now  pushed  her  waj-  among  the  people, 
wdio,  as  soon  as  they  had  heard  her  voice,  had 
turned  from  the  ducking-stool  and  given  her  all 
their  attention. 

"  I  say,  Israel  Barebones,"  cried  the  rash  crea- 
ture when  she  had  gained  the  side  of  the  bridge 
and  looking  down  at  the  river  bank,  "I  say,  how 
does  your  back  feel  to-day  ?  you  vile  persecutor  of 
women!  Things  may  be  workin' to  suit  you,  but 
by  all  the  sharks  you'll  be  sot  on  your  beam-ends 
yet.  See  if  you  won't,  you  long -faced,  shabby  old 
devil !"  By  this  time  the  multitude  was  pressing 
60  close  upon  her,  that  she  was  nearly  forced  over 
he  railing  ;  the  rope  was  cutting  all  kinds  of  figures 
in  the  air,  while  her  left  arm,  as  well  as  her  right, 
was  moving  swiftly  to  and  fro,  up  and  down  and  iu 
every  direction. 


CHvETER   OAK.  97 

For  a  moment,  but  onl}'  for  a  momeDt,  the  rul- 
ing elder  turned  and  gazed  at  her.  "Miserable 
creature,"  he  sighed,  "  it  must  be  done  ;  but  'twill 
l)e  for  jour  own  good.  I  bear  you  no  ill-  will,  no, 
not  a  mite.  The  assault  which  you  committed  on 
me  I  take  as  a  punishment  for  my  own  transgres- 
sions. God's  laws  must  not  be  broken  with  impu- 
nity.    Oh,  unhappy  woman  !" 

The  younger  members  of  the  crowd  appeared  to 
relish  the  scene  immensely,  and  amongst  them  was 
the  irrespressible  Tom  flubbard,  who,  after  telhng 
his  budget  of  news  to  Mrs.  Philbrick  and  his 
mother,  had  gone  out  and  joined  the  stream  of 
people  who  were  directing  their  steps  to  the 
river. 

"  Hurrah  !  scold  him,  pitch  into  him,  he  deserves 
it,"  yelled  the  lad  ;  then  dropping  close  to  the 
ground,  he  remained  hidden  a  moment  until  the 
effect  produced  by  his  words  had  passed  off. 

"  Aye,  but  if  she  gets  ducked  for  this  ?"  whisj^ered 
Dorothy,  who  had  followed  her  lover  unawares, 
"  you'll  wish  you  hadn't  encouraged  her;  and  yefc 
what  she  says  is  all  true  ;  Mr.  Barebones  is  a  de- 
testable man." 

The  elder  portion  of  the  crowd,  however,  were 
\erj  grave  and  shook  their  heads,  while  one  of 
them,  a  tall  woman — w^ho  held  herself  so  erect  and 
§tiff,  that  jou  might  have  thought  she  could  pot 


98  EOMAXCE   OF   THE 

have  swerved  from  the  road  to  Zion,  if  she  had 
tried— declared  that  it  was  time  to  call  the  con- 
stable. "  The  law  says,  whoever  uses  too  freely  his 
tongue  shall  be  ducked  three  times  over  head  and 
ears,"  remarked  this  pious  soul.  "  Methinks  Mrs. 
Bull  meriteth  such  a  punishment."  So  thought 
Mr.  Barebones  as  he  tapped  Jacob  Japheth  on  the 
shoulder,  then  spoke  a  few  words  to  him. 

"  Aye,  let  her  be  ducked,"  cried  a  number  of 
voices,  "let  her  be  ducked." 

The  widow  heard  what  they  said,  and  suddei  [y 
stopping  the  movement  of  her  arms,  turned  a  id 
faced  them  with  a  bold,  contemptuous  air.  "  Shame 
on  ye,"  she  cried.  "  I'm  only  one  against  a  him- 
dred,  and  it  is  too  late  to  escape  your  verdict.  I 
was  advised  the  other  day  to  flee  from  Hartford; 
but  it  ain't  in  me,  a  sea  captain's  '  widder'  to  scud. 
I'll  face  the  storm,  no  matter  how  hard  it  may  bat- 
ter my  timbers,  and  like  the  Polly  Ann,  I'll  go  down 
with  colors  flying." 

While  she  was  speaking  the  wind  kept  tossing 
her  ringlets  about,  fluttering  scandal  in  the  eyes  of 
the  spectators  and  causing  many  a  groan.     In  vain 

d  Lydia  implore  her  to  be  silent ;  in  vain  did 
N.mcy  tug  at  her  frock.  Once  set  a  going,  Mrs. 
Bull  was  not  to  be  stopped  by  any  human  being, 
and  her  husband  when  alive  had  often  and  oitvn 
vvojidered  how  she  had  been  able  to  scold  bv  the 


Vli 


CHATITER   OAK.  99 

hour  without  losing  breath.  The  dame  had  just 
told  the  people  that  she  would  go  down  with  colors 
thing,  wlien  a  sliortjjandj'-lerged  individual  pushed 
ijis  way  up  to  her,  and  taking  her  arm,  informed 
her  that  she  must  go  to  jail.  For  a  moment  she 
turned  on  him  her  flashmg  eyes ;  the  hand  which 
hcild  the  rope  tnmibled  ;  she  was  hesitating  whether 
to  surrender  j^eaceablj,  or  serve  the  constable  as 
she  had  served  Mr.  l^arebones.  Lydia  shrewdly 
guessed  what  she  was  thinking  of,  and  snatching 
the  cord  ou!:  of  lur  hand,  ilirust  it  into  her  own 
pocket,  then  turned  and  left  the  crowd. 

"  We  can  do  no  further  good  by  staying  here," 
she  whispered  to  Nancy,  "  I've  got  the  piece  of 
rope  which  I'll  keep  till  Mrs.  Bull  is  released. 
Let's  be  off  and  not  remain  and  see  her  carried  to 
prison." 

The  two  friends,  accordingl}-,  walked  away  in  the 
direction  of  the  widow's  cabin,  anxiously  canvass- 
ing the  scene  which  they  had  witnessed,  and  griev- 
ing over  the  certain  punishment  which  would  be 
inflicted  on  the  good  woman. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

The  door  of  the  Hartford  jail  was  a  hard  door 
to  open,  and  the  bandy-legged  official  grew  red  in 


100  H  MAIS'CE  OP  THE 

tlie  face  and  looked  compassionatel}'  at  his  fingers 
before  he  could  make  the  ke}'  go  round.  It  took 
at  least  five  minutes  to  overcome  the  rust  which 
had  accumulated  in  the  lock,  but  the  delay  was  a 
god-send  to  those  who  had  followed  the  prisoner 
from  the  bridge,  for  it  gave  them  an  excellent  op- 
portunity to  study  her  countenance.  During  the 
paroxysm  of  rage  which  Mrs.  Bull  had  given  way 
to,  her  dress  had  got  much  disordered.  One  sleeve 
was  torn,  so  was  her  apron,  while  the  rosettes  with 
which  she  had  decorated  her  shoulders  had  gone 
fluttering  down  into  Little  river,  aud  were  by  this  ,  . 
time  far  on  their. way  to  the  Connecticut. 

*'  Mrs.  Philbrick,  of  course,  was  among  those 
who  were  now  staring  at  her.  So  was  Mrs.  Hub- 
bard, and  their  groans  and  the  occassional  rolling 
of  their  eyes  showed  how  much  they  were  scandal- 
ized. Mr.  Japheth,  too,  was  present,  liis  arms 
folded  on  his  breast  and  evidently  profoundly  af- 
fected ;  while  Tom  Hubbai'd's  countenance  indi- 
cated a  violent  struggle  between  the  pleasure  he 
took  in  the  exciting  scene  and  compassion  for  the 
victim.  But  Wadsworth  was  not  among  th(5  gap- 
ing  crowd.  His  aunt,  however,  who  had  been  look- 
ing out  of  the  window  and  seen  the  people  hasten- 
ing towards  the  south  end  of  the  town,  was  stand- 
ing with  Mr.  Genness  surveying  the  culprit  as  if 
she  wanted   to   devour  her.     Quick   and  nervous 


CltABTER  OAK.  101 

were  the  jerks  of  Miss  Crabtree's  top-knot,  more 
cat-like  thau  ever  were  her  eyes. 

"  'Tis  a  punislimeut  sh(>,  hath  richly  meritecl," 
quoth  Mr.  Philbrick  to  Simon  Adams,  as  he  rested 
his  arm  on  the  publican's  shoulder.  .  The  latter  in- 
stantly drew  back  with  a  scowl  on  his  face,  and 
nothing  restrained  him  from  openly  expressing  his 
opinion  of  ducking  stools,  whipping  posts,  and 
ca-es,  but  the  fear  of  losing  his  position  as  keeper 
of  °the  Bunch  of  Grapes.  "  What  aileth  thee,  sir  ?" 
inquired  Mr.  Philbrick,  greatly  wondering  at  his 

'  conduct. 

"Oh,  w&uld  that  I  dared  speak  out,"  muttered 
Simon'  "May  damnation  rest  on  those  who  ap- 
prove of  such  persecution  as  this."  And  now  the 
door  swings  slowly  back  on  its  lunges,  a  damp, 
grave-yard  odor  comes  out  of  the  prison,  and  with 
a  shove  from  t  he  constable  Mrs.  Bull  passes  in.  In 
another  moment  the  door  closes,  Mrs.  Philbrick 
and  Mrs.  Hubbard  congratulate  each  other  on  the 
reformation  which  has  began  in  Hartford,  and  the 
crowd  slowly  disperses. 

The  room  where  the  widow  found  herself  was  noi 
mean  as  to  size,  for  it  covered  the  whole  length  and 
breadth  of  the  building.  Two  diamond-shaped  win- 
dows, one  on  each  end,  and  sufficiently  high  to  pre- 
vent anybody  escaping,  allowed  a  dim  light  to  pene- 
trate   barely  enough  to  reveal  the  names  of  former 


102  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

prisoners  rudely  carved  upon  the  wall,  while  in  a  cor- 
ner was  a  pile  of  straw,  threshed  out  dear  knows 
when — certainly  it  looked  as  if  it  might  hare  been 
brought  from  Massachusetts  by  the  Eev.  Mr. 
Hooker,  or  some  of  his  parishioners,  in  1636.  After 
surveying  her  new  quarters  and  deciphering  a  few 
jf  the  names,  Mrs.  Bull  put  her  hand  in  her  pocket 
to  feel  for  the  old  tarred  rope,  which  had  kept 
green  so  man}-  happy  memories  ;  then  sighed  as  she 
remembered  that  Lydia  Goffe  had  taken  it  away. 

Long,  very  long  did  that  day  seem  -it  was 
more  like  a  week  than  a  day  ;  but  at  last  the 
nine  o'clock  bell  rang  and  she  lay  down  on  the 
heap  of  straw  and  tried  to  fall  asleep.  It  was  mid- 
night, however,  before  she  got  dreaming  of  the 
Polly  Ann.  The  little  vessel  was  hove  to  under 
storm  staysail,  the  wind  howling  through  her 
shrouds  and  spars  like  ten  thousand  demons  ;  hor- 
rible sea  monsters  were  swimming  around  her,  and 
the  captain,  standing  at  the  wheel,  with  a  death 
look  on  his  face,  was  crying  out,  "  wife,  wife,  fare- 
well!" Oh,  it  was  a  dream  to  make  one's  blood 
run  cold,  and  glad,  very,  very  glad,  was  the  widow 
when  she  opened  her  eyes,  and  heard  the  cocks 
crowing,  for  she  knew  that  morning  had  come  again. 
The  rain  was  pattering  on  the  roof,  but  that  did 
not  matter;  fair  weather  or  foul,  this  day  would  end 
her  imprisonment  and  she  would  be  once  more  with 
Nancy  and  Lydia,  the  kind  friends  who  had  tried  so 


CHARTER  OAK.  103 

hard  to  prevent  her  fallinoj  into  the  hands  of  the 
constable,  and  who  were  now  the  first  to  enter  her 
mind,  as  she  awoke  out  of  her  troubled  sleep. 
After  she  had  arisen,  and  whiled  away  about  an 
hour  walking  back  and  forth  the  length  of  the  jail, 
she  heard  footsteps  and  voices,  then  the  door  turned 
on  its  hinges  and  the  constable,  accompanied  by 
Israel  Barebones,  entered.  Hateful  as  was  the 
sight  of  both  these  men,  the  good  woman  smiled  and 
even  said,  "  how  d'ye  do,*'  as  they  appeared  ;  for 
she  believed  they  had  come  to  lead  her  to  punish- 
ment, after  which  she  rnight  be  allowed  to  return 
honie.  In  this,  however,  she  was  mistaken.  The 
constable  carried  on  his  arm  a  basket  well  filled 
with  good  things  prepared  by  Nancy  and  her 
friend— -and  which  the  widow  would  certainly  not 
have  needed  if  she  were  so  soon  to  have  been  set 
free-while  the  ruling  elder  held  a  ponderous  bible 
in  one  hand  and  the  Bay  Psalm-Book  in  the  other. 
"  Why,  you  bring  me  enough,  methinks,  to  last  a 
week,"  she  exclaimed,  raising  the  lid  of  the  basket. 
"What  does  it  mean?" 

"  You  may  have  need  of  all  these  tarts  and  slices 
(A  bread  and  bacon,  unhappy  woman,"  responded 
Mr.  Barebones,  his  solemn  voice  dying  away  in  a 
ghostly  echo  among  the  rafters.  "  Although  you 
have  merited  the  punishment  of  ducking  for  the 
foul   language   you    used    yesterday   in    presence 


104  ROMANCE    or   THE 

of  the   whole  town,  jet  I   would  not  have  it  in- 
flicted such  weather  as  this.     It  raineth  pitchforks." 

"  Well,  what  if  it  does  ?"  said  the  widow.  "  Oh, 
I  beg  you  deliver  me  from  this  vile  hole.  I'm  sure 
there  are  rattlesnakes  under  the  floor — ugh  ! — since 
I'm  to  be  plunged  into  the  river  what  matters  it  if 
[  get  Avet  going  there  ?  Oh,  sir,  duck  me  to-day, 
do,  do !"  But  the  good  man  shook  his  head,  then 
Dresented  her  the  books. 

"  Although  the  light  here  is  dim,"  he  said,  "  typi- 
cal of  the  condition  of  your  soul — yet  your  vision  is 
good,  and  these  volumes  will  help  pass  the  time, 
besides  furnishing  wholesome  and  much  needed 
nourishment  to  the  spiritual  part  of  your  being." 
Here  the  prisoner  burst  into  a  jeering  laugh,  and 
turned  away,  declaring  by  all  the  sharks  that  she 
would  never  read  the  scriptures  again  as  long  as 
she  lived,  nor  sing  another  psahn. 

*'  Unhappy  creature,"  sighed  the  ruling  elder, 
"the  Evil  One  hath  thee  in  his  clutches  sure 
enough  ;  but  I  shall  pray  for  tliee — "  then  address- 
ing his  companion,  "  and  do  you  likewise  pray  ;  it 
may  not  be  too  late."  With  this  he  placed  the  booka 
on  the  floor,  the  basket  near  them,  then  gazing  a 
moment  at  the  prisoner  with  a  mournful  expression, 
he  made  the  constable  a  sign  and  they  departed — 
the  door  creaking  dolefully  as  it  hid  them  from  view 
— while  Mrs.  Bull  was  left  listening  to  the  rain  drops. 


ORARTER  OAK.  105 

cursing  the  laws  of  Connecticut,  and  wondering 
how  she  had  ever  lived  in  Hartford  one  hour  after 
the  foundering  of  the  Polly  Ann. 

All  that  April  day  she  paced  back  and  forth  in  a 
fi'ame  of  mind,  which  was  not  very  becoming  a 
Christian,  and  when  the  dim  light  grew  dimmer  and 
night  once  more  closed  around  the  jail,  she  threw 
herself  on  the  heap  of  straw  and  cried  herself  to 
sleep. 

The  second  rooming  of  her  incarceration  opened 
w^arm  and  c'r/ar,  and  her  heart  was  so  filled  with 
joy  at  thn  sight  of  the  sunbeams  which  came 
streaming  'r  through  a  crevice  in  the  wall,  that  she 
fell  on  her  knees  and  offered  up  a  prayer  of  thanks- 
giving. "  Surely,"  she  said,  "  Israel  Barebones  will 
have  no  excuse  now  for  prolonging  my  imprison- 
ment." 

The  sun,  however,  had  risen  many  hours  before 
she  Avas  allowed  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  blue  sky 
— yes,  it  was  noon  ere  the  people  began  to  gather 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  jail.  But  when  she  heard 
them  coming,  oh  how  glad  she  felt,  and  among  the 
voices  she  could  distinguish  Tom  Hubbard's  burly 
laugh,  and  Mad  Adams  giving  somebody  an  angry 
response.  Then  in  a  few  minutes  more,  the  key 
turned  in  tlie  lock  and  the  constable,  followed  this 
time  by  the  selectmen,  entered. 

The  latter  cast  an  approving  glance  on  tlie  Bible 


106  BOMANCE  OV  TJttfi 

and  Psalm-book.  But  their  edificatiou  lasted  only 
an  instant,  for  Mrs.  Bull  hastened  to  declare  that 
she  had  not  touched  either  of  the  volumes,  then 
urged  them  to  perform  their  duty  at  once  and  not 
afflict  her  with  a  sermon  ;  while  Tom  Hubbard 
poked  his  head  in  the  door  and  shouted — "  bring 
her  out !  a  day  and  a  half  is  long  enough  to  be 
shut  up  in  that  hole." 

Presently,  the  widow  appeared  before  the  assem- 
bled crowd,  and  as  she  descended  the  steps  of  the 
jail  she  tossed  back  her  head  in  a  defiant  manner 
and  clenched  her  fists. 

"  That's  right,  give  it  to  them  !'*  again  shouted 
saucy  Tom,  liis  eyes  sparkling  with  excitement. 
Suddenly,  the  prisoner  turned  and  gazed  haughtily 
on  the  ruling  elder,  who  had  glided  to  her  side. 

"  Yea,  verily  have  I  prayed  for  thee  yesterday 
and  this  morning  ;  oh,  sinner,  repent  ere  it  be  too 
late,"  were  the  good  man's  words,  as  wdth  hands 
clasped  he  accompanied  her  across  the  green. 

"  Get  away  from  me  !"  she  exclaimed,  "  the  like 
of  you  destroy  religion  ins  ead  of  giving  it  to  folks." 

But  Mr.  Barebones  heeded  nought  that  she 
said  to  him --his  lips  moved  in  silent  prayer — 
burning  zeal  was  stamped  on  his  countenance, 
and  Miss  Crabtree,  Mrs.  Philbrick,  Mrs.  Hubbard, 
and  nearly  every  woman  wlio  gazed  at  him,  de- 
clared lie  had  the  look  of  a  prophet. 


CHARTEn   OAK.  107 

Thrice  as  tliey  went  along  did  young  Fnbbard 
glance  at  the  good  man's  toes  and  sigh  for  another 
chance  to  stamp  on  them  ;  while  Jacob  Japheth, 
with  head  bowed  low,  walked  close  to  Mad  Adams, 
whose  angry  expression  pleased  him,  for  it  showed 
that  the  tavern-keeper  did  not  approve  of  the 
widow's  punishment. 

Little  river,  owing  to  the  rain,  was  found  to  be 
very  much  swollen ;  and  its  dark,  angry  current, 
broken  here  and  there  by  whirlpools  and  clashing 
logs  which  had  escaped  from  the  saw- mill  above, 
was  roaring  under  the  bridge  with  an  ominous 
sound  ;  while  it  had  so  over-flowed  the  bank  that 
the  ruling  elder  had  employed  a  man  to  construct 
a  causeway  of  stones  as  far  as  the  ducking-stool, 
in  order  that  the  prisoner  might  not  wet  her  feet 
going  there.  This  foolish  piece  of  work  sorely  tried 
the  gravity  of  the  spectators,  while  the  widow 
showed  how  little  she  appreciated  the  goodman's 
attentions  by  wading  through  the  water — which 
was  ankle  deep — till  she  reached  the  chair.  There 
she  stopped  and  as  she  gazed  at  the  flood  rushing 
past,  her  undaunted  bearing  for  a  moment  gave  way 
and  turning  round,  perhaps  for  sympathy,  she  met 
the  indignant  countenance  of  Adams  who  was  stand- 
ing near  the  tithing-man.  Without  wasting  any 
time,  Mr.  Barebones  now  divested  himself  of  his 
coat  and  prepared  to  assist  the  constable  in  the 


108  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

performance  of  his  duty  ;  for  this  improved  piece 
of  iiieciianism  being  an  invention  of  his  own,  the 
good  man  was  very  anxious  that  on  its  first  trial  it 
should  work  well. 

The  bandy-legged  official  suggested  that  owing 
to  the  freshet  a  cord  might  be  prudently  used  to 
secure  the  culprit  in  her  seat  :  whereat  Mr.  Bare- 
bones  nodded,  and  drawing  a  rope  out  of  his  pocket 
was  about  to  step  on  the  narrow  causeway  when 
he  hesitated — but  only  for  an  instant,  then  regard- 
less of  a  titter  which  he  knew  came  from  the  lips  of 
Tom  Hubbard,  walked  boldly  through  the  water 
to  where  Mrs.  Bull  was  standing,  murmuring  as  he 
went,  '*  I,  too,  am  a  sinner,  so  let  wet  feet  be  a 
part  of  my  penance." 

It  required  but  a  moment  for  the  chair  to  be 
drawn  on  the  bank  and  the  prisoner  placed  in  it, 
after  which  he  proceeded  in  the  gentlest  manner 
possible  to  make  her  fast. 

"  No  need,  of  that,"  cried  the  dame,  snatching 
the  rope  away  and  flourishing  it  over  her  head  (to 
Tom  Hubbard's  inexpressible  delight,  for  the  lad 
was  sure  she  was  going  to  give  the  ruling  elder 
another  thrashing.)  "  I  vow  I  won't  be  tied  ;  I'm 
Captain  Bull's  widow  and  the  Polly  Ann  didn't  fear 
the  waves ;  come,  do  your  duty."  With  this,  she, 
flung  the  cord  into  the  stream. 

"  May  the  Lord  give  thee  to  see  tlie  light,"  sighed 


CHAPTER    OAK.  109 

Mr.  Bareboiies,  eying  her  compassionately.     "  Un- 
happy creature,  how  I  pity  thee !" 

"  Hold  on  tight,  goodwife,"  cried  Adams  in  an 
earnest  voice,  "  hold  hard  to  the  iron  braces  ;  do,  I 
beg  you." 

"  Aye,  aye,  when  I  get  to  sea  man,"  answered 
Mrs.  Bull,  then  in  a  lusty  tone — "  heave  away,  lads," 
she  shouted,  "  heave  awa}' !"  Whereat  not  a  few 
of  the  spectators  burst  out  laughing  ;  the  majority, 
however,  seemed  moved  with  indignation  at  what 
they  considered  her  perverse  spkit  of  ungodliness 
and  shook  their  heads. 

The  constable  now  seized  his  end  of  the  pole 
(the  other  end,  as  we  remember,  was  inserted  in  a 
ring  at  a  point  where  the  three  braces  met  above 
the  sinner's  head)  and  endeavored  to  push  the  chair 
into  the  current.  But  Mrs.  Bull  was  an  exceedingly 
heavy  woman,  so  he  beckoned  Adams  to  assist 
him.  At  this  request  the  tavern-keeper  gTound  his 
teeth—  could  he  refuse  when  all  Hartford  was  hook- 
ing on  ?  His  wrath,  however,  got  the  better  of  his 
judgment,  and  approaching  the  official  he  whisper- 
ed, "  I'll  see  you  in  Limbo  first."  The  constable's 
under  jaw  fell,  but  quickly  recovering  from  his  as- 
tonishment, he  beckoned  to  Mr.  Japheth.  Poor 
Jacob!  What  a  sinking  of  the  heart  came  over 
him  at  this  moment!  How  he  wished  he  might 
have   exchanged   places    with    Mrs.    Bull!      The 


110      .  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

struggle,  however,  was  brief  ;  his  kindly  feelings 
prevailed,  and  telling  the  constable  that  he  was  a 
poor  hand  at  such  work  since  his  last  attack  of 
rheumatism,  which  had  left  him  with  very  stiff 
joints,  he  slunk  back  in  the  crowd. 

"  Why  don't  you  heave  away  ?"  exclaimed  the 
prisoner,  impatiently,  and  with  her  hands  grasp- 
ing the  iron  rods.  "  I  say,  why  don't  you  heave 
away?" 

"  We  will,  we  will,"  responded  Israel  Barebones, 
going  himself  to  the  aid  of  the  constable.  Then 
closing  his  skinny  fingers  round  the  pole,  and  roll- 
ing his  eyes  towards  the  heavens,  "  push,"  he  said, 
"  push." 

Their  united  strength  just  sufficed  to  shove  the 
chair  four  feet  beyond  the  bank  ;  then  elevating  the 
pole,  down  w^nt  the  widow  deep,  deep  in  the 
stream.  Then,  presently,  up  she  came  dripping 
and  shaking  her  locks.  Half  a  minute  was  allowed 
her  to  catch  her  'breath,  vvhen  once  more  the  chair 
disappeared  beneath  the  surface.  As  it  rose  for 
the  second  time,  Mrs.  Bull — who  till  now  had  kept 
her  mouth  pretty  well  closed — shouted,  "  Hurrah  ! 
J  feel  like  the  Polly  Ann  with  her  storm-staysail  set. 
Hurrah  !  heave  away  !  who  wouldn't  be  a  sea-cap- 
tain's widow  ?" 

"Unhappy  woman!"  groaned  Israel  Barebones, 
•«  he  allowed  the  ducking-stool  to  plunge  again 


CHARTER   OAK.  Ill 

into  tlio  raging  torrent,  "  verily,  Satan  hatli  a  firm 
hold  on  thee.     But  I'll  pray,  I'll  pray." 

"  Enough,  the  law's  fulfilled ;  she's  been  thrice 
dipped  ;  enough,"'^  exclaimed  Tom  Hubbard,  as 
soon  as  she  re-appeared. 

"  Yea,"  said  the  ruling  elder,  drawing  the  chair 
on  the  bank.  "And  yet  a  dozen  plunges  would 
scarce  get  Beelzebub  out  of  her.'' 

"  If  I  w^ere  she,"  whispered  JMiss  Crabtree  to 
Prudence,  "  I'd  do  nothing  the  rest  of  this  l)lessed 
day  but  drink  hot  catnip  tea,  'tween  as  many  blan- 
kets as  I  could  wrap  round  me." 

"  Aye,  the  chill  must  have  got  deep  in  her  bones,'* 
returned  Goody  Garlic  ;  "  poor  creature  !" 

''  Poor  creature  !  Bah  !"  exclaimed  Charity. 
Then  raising  her  arm—"  but  look,"  she  continued, 
"  look  !     As  I  live,  if  there  isn't  Miss  Lvdia !" 

Sure  enough,  the  girl  at  this  moment  was  seen 
advancing  towards  the  widow— who  had  refused 
the  help  of  the  ruling  elder's  hand,  and  was  now 
standing  on  dry  ground,  brushing  back  the  hair 
from  her  face. 

"  That's  right ;  don't  let  him  touch  you/'  cried 
Ijydia,  giving  Mr.  Barebones  a  withering  glance. 
Then  taking  the  widow's  arm  she  led  her  away,  re- 
gardless of  the  gaping  multitude,  who  wondered  at 

•Mass.  Eec.  Vol.  IV.  P.  513— "Three  times  over  bead  and 


112  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

her  daring  to  show  so  much  compassion  for  a  sin- 
ner, and  not  a  few  of  whom  declared  that  the  Cap- 
tain of  the  train-band  would  make  a  great  mistake 
if  he  chose  such  a  lass  for  his  wife. 

"  Alas !"  sighed  the  ruling  elder,  as  he  watched 
them  depart,  "  alas  !  what  is  the  world  coming  to?" 

As  for  Miss  Crabtree,  she  did  not  hesitate  to  tell 
Prudence  that  if  Ljdia  was  not  yet  a  fallen  angel, 
she  was  going  down  hill  very  fast.  At  which  re- 
mark the  faithful  nurse  shuddered,  and  sighed — "  it 
all  comes  fi'om  that  meeting  in  the  forest.  Oh, 
Lord  forgive  me  !  why  did  I  not  take  better  care  of 
her  that  night?" 

But,  whatever  others  might  think  and  say  of 
Goffe's  daughter.  Jiicob  Japheth  and  Adams  did 
not  conceal  their  satisfaction  ;  and  while  the  latter 
gave  a  cheer,  the  cobbler  whistled  a  merry  tune 
and  declared  that  his  rheumatism  had  suddenly  left 
him.  Tom  Hubbard  likewise  smiled  and  squeezed 
Dorothy's  hand,  nor  could  little  Faith  Genness 
help  rejoicing  in  her  owh  quiet  way. 

But  where  was  Wadsworth  ?  wli}'  had  he  not 
shown  himself  on  this  occasion,  when  his  presence 
might  have  made  the  tavern-keeper  more  respect- 
ful to  the  vindicators  Of  the  law  ?  More  than  one 
member  of  the  train-band  questioned  his  aunt  about 
him,  and  it  grieved  them  to  learn  that  their  chief 
was  confined  to  his  bed  with  a  fever.     Mr.  Bare- 


ohahteh  oak. 


lia 


bones,  especially,  was  anxious  to  know  \vl13'  he  had 
stayed  away,  and  begged  Charity  to  tell  him  that 
a  reformation  had  commenced,  and  that  the  widow's 
ducking  would  bring  a  blessing  on  the  town. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Lydia  was  hurrymg  Mrs.  Bull 
lo  her  home  as  fast  as  the  corpulent  dame  could 
go.  "  Nancy,"  she  said,  "  is  all  ready  with  hot  tea 
and  warm  blankets,  and  there's  a  fire  burning 
th'i^'ll  do  your  heart  good  to  look  at," 

"  Thanks,  thanks,"  replied  the  poor  woman,  her 
teeth  chattering  and  leaning  heavily  on  the  girl's 
arm — "  oh,  what  would  I  do  without  you  ?"  Then 
after  a  pause,  "  but,  Lydia  dear^I — I  hope  there's 
a  little^ — a  little  rum  mixed  with  the  catnip  ?" 

When  they  reached  the  cabin  they  found  Nancy 
waiting  for  them  on  the  threshold,  nor  would  the 
young  woman  let  the  dame  enter  until  she  had  given 
her  a  hearty  embrace  ;  then,  without  any  ceremonj-, 
Mrs.  Bull  was  brought  as  near  the  tire  as  she  could 
get  without  scorching,  after  which  she  was  disrobed 
and  buried  deep  in  a  feather  bed,  then  covered  with 
dear  knows  how  many  blankets  and  quilts,  until 
she  implored  the  girls  not  to  pile  on  anything 
more.  As  soon  as  this  part  of  their  duty  was  ac- 
complished, Lydia  threw  a  fresh  armful  of  wood 
on  the  fire,  while  her  friend  began  pouring  out  the 
tea— at  the  same  time  telling  the  good  wife  that  she- 
must  drink  a  pitcher-full. 


114     ■  ROMAKOK   OF  THE 

"  But  don't  blow  on  it,  Nancy,"  cried  Lydia. 
"  It  must  be  scalding  liot  or  it  won't  do  a  bit  of 
good." 

Nancy,  always  obedient,  at  once  put  the  cup  to 
the  dame's  lips  and  poured  a  few  drops  down  her 
throat.  Instantly,  the  poor  woman  raised  her  head 
and  gave  a  cry  of  pain.  "  Oh,  you're  killing  me." 
she  said,  rubbing  her  throat,  "  you're  killing  me." 

"  But  you  have  to  drink  it,"  pursued  Lydia,  ad  - 
vancing  and  taking  the  cup  in  her  own  hand,  "  yes, 
you  have  to  drink  it ;  the  hotter  the  better." 

But  strong-willed  as  Lydia  was,  in  the  widow 
she  had  her  match,  and  the  latter  vowed  she  would 
not  touch  another  drop  until  it  had  been  cooled, 
and  some  rum  added  to  it. 

Accordingly,  the  tea  was  placed  outside  the  door 
for  a  minute,  after  which  a  little  of  the  dame's 
favorite  beverage  was  poured  into  it,  and  then,  to 
to  their  great  delight,  she  swallowed  the  mix- 
ture. 

The  whole  of  that  day  and  the  next  the  good 
woman  kept  her  bed,  Nancy  Clark  anxiously  watch- 
ing by  her  pillow,  and  at  one  time  the  latter  feared 
she  was  going  to  be  very  ill.  But  the  dame  always 
assured  her  that  she  would  weather  the  storm,  and 
that  when  once  she  got  on  her  keel  again — she  was 
fond  of  using  nautical  terms — she  would  be  all  the 
better  for  the  ducking.     Lydia,  too,  was  devoted  to 


CHARTER    OAK.  ;    115 

the  poor  soul,  and  visited  the  cabin  morning  and 
evening,  and  during  ono  of  her  visits  she  held  a 
long  conversation  with  Mrs.  Bull  about  the  laws  of 
Connecticut,  and  the  widow  was  enchanted  to  find 
that  the  regicide's  daughter  agreed  with  her  on 
every   point.     Nancy,   however,   did  not  open  her 


)S 


Avhile  they  were  criticising  her  native  colony, 
and  from  her  silence  it  was  evident  that  she  did  not 
view  the  Puritan  statutes  in  the  same  hght  as  her 
friends  ;  for  however  harsh  these  might  be,  she  knew 
that  the  men  who  had  framed  them  had  followed 
as  near  as  possible  the  code  of  Moses.  Moreover, 
the  3'oung  woman  had  made  up  her  mind  to  be  in 
future  what  her  mother  had  been,  a  strict  member 
of  the  Church. 

The  morning  after  the  ducking  two  persons  called 
to  inquire  how  Mrs.  Bull  was  getting  on.  The  first 
who  came  was  the  ruling  elder,  bringing  Avith  hiai 
some  herbs  gathered  the  summer  before,  and  which 
he  urged  Lydia  to  give  the  dame  in  case  fever  set  in. 
But  after  she  had  allowed  him  to  unfold  the  object 
of  his  visit,  the  girl  scornfully  motioned  him  to  leave 
the  house,  and  he  went  away  murmuring  a  prayer. 

The  other  visitor,  Jacob  Jaj)heth,  received,  we 
need  scarcely  say,  a  very  di£ferent  welcome ;  and 
the  honest  fellow  stayed  more  than  an  hour  crack- 
ing jokes  and  inspiring  the  regicide's  daughter  with 
a  greater  regard  for  him  than  ever.     "  I'm  uo  longer 


116  KOMANCE   OF   THE 

titbing-man,"  he  said,  "  but  the  Ahnighty  will  care 
for  me  and  my  family,  even  as  he  sent  ravens  to 
feed  Elijah.  Folks  are  pointing  their  fingers  at  me, 
and  few  are  the  shoes  I  now  get  to  mend  ;  but  God 
will  provide  enough  —I  trust  in  Him,"  and  he 
ended  by  whistling  a  merry  tune.  Before  he  said 
good-by,  however,  he  became  grave,  and  turning  to 
Nancy  urged  her  to  change  her  ways.  "  Do,  Miss 
Clark,"  he  said,  "go  to  meeting.  I  have  been  dis- 
missed from  office  because  I  refused  to  complain  of 
you;  but  the  man  who  has  taken  my  place  is  as  un- 
bending as  iron,  has  two  eyes  iiistead  of  one,  and 
will  bring' you  to  grief  unless  you  change.  Oh,  yes, 
do  go  to  meeting,  and  take  your  friend  with  you." 

"  No,  no,"  exclaimed  Lydia,  "  Nancy  and  I  will 
say  our  prayers  at  home — no  brimstone  sermons 
for  us.  If  they  dare  put  us  in  a  cage  we'll  teach 
them  a  lesson  which  they'll  not  soon  forget." 

Alas !  Miss,  what  could  you  do  ?"  pursued  Mr, 
J'apheth.  "  The  whole  settlement  would  be  array- 
ed against  you,  and " 

"  Enough !"  interrupted  Nancy,  speaking  in  a 
tone  which  surprised  him  as  much  as  it  did  Lydia 
and  the  widow.  "Enough!  I  will  take  my  friend 
to  the  house  of  worship ;  so  dismiss  all  fear,  sir, 
on  our  account.  Next  Sabbath  you  will  find  me  in 
the  old  seat  which  my  dear  mother  occupied^  and 
Ijydia  next  to  me," 


CHARTER   OAK.  117 

At  these  words  the  regicide's  daughter  gave  her 
friend  snch  a  look  that  the  hitter  ahiiost  burst  into 
tears.  But  the  cloud  quicklj-  passed  from  Lydia's 
face,  then  seizing  Nancy's  hand,  "  we  are  very  un- 
like," she  said,  *'in  our  natures;  very,  very;  yet 
our  friendship  shall  not  be  broken ;  no,  never.  If 
you  wish  to  go  to  meeting,  go  !  My  prayers  shall 
be  said  at  home.  We  journey  by  different  roads, 
yet,  I  hope  in  the  end  we  will  both  reach  Zion." 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

A  WEEK  has  gone  by  since  the  ducking  of  the 
widow.  The  snow  has  entirely  disappeared,  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  on  the  north  side  of  some  rock  where 
it  seems  determined  to  remain  as  long  as  it  can  ; 
the  song  sparrows  and  robins  have  returned ;  the 
swallows  are  chasing  one  another  in  and  out  of  the 
barns,  and  skimming  over  the  meadows,  where  they 
greet  the  bees  who  have  ventured  out  of  their  old- 
fashioned  straw  hives  in  search  of  dandelions  and 
daisies ;  while  towards  evening  the  frogs  croak  in 
chorus  along  the  river  bank  and  tell  you  that  spring 
has  really  come.  Every  plow  is  at  work,  and  Tom 
Hubbard,  after  he  has  taken  his  supper,  amuses 
himself  making  a  scarecrow,  which  he  intends  to 


118  ROMANCE   OF   THP. 

set  up  in  his  father's  field,  and  which  he  declares 
will  frighten  off  tlie  cunningest  raven  that  ever 
stole  corn.  Mrs.  Bull  has  suffered  no  ill  effects 
from  her  punishment,  and  with  a  couple  of  bran 
new  rosettes  on  her  shoulders,  is  at  this  moment 
standing  on  the  threshold  of  the  cabin  enjoying 
with  Nancy  the  delicious  air,  and  wishing  there  was 
no  such  season  as  winter. 

"  Why  doesn't  Lydia  come  ?"  said  the  young 
woman  gazing  up  the  road.  "  I've  a  mind  to  go 
see  what  keeps  her." 

"  Humph  !  perhaps  the  Captain's  fever  is  worse." 
responded  the  dame.  At  these  words  the  counte- 
nance of  Nancy  fell.  "  I  only  wonder,  Miss,  he 
didn't  take  sick  long  ago,  seeing  how  he  has 
l)othered  his  brains  with  that  wild  idea  of  driving 
Andros  out  of  New  England." 

"  What  he  aims  at  will  one  day  come  to  pass," 
rejoined  the  other.  "  God  is  with  him  ;  Wads- 
worth  cannot  fail."  Here  Mr.  Japheth  came  up, 
and  shaking  the  widow's  hand,  told  her  how  glad 
he  was  to  see  her  looking  so  well.  "  And  what  a 
beautiful  evening !"  he  continued.  "  I  wish  my 
Kitty  could  enjoy  it." 

"  How  is  she,"  inquired  Mrs.  Bull,  stepping  back 
to  let  the  cobbler  have  a  seat  on  the  threshold. 

"  As  usual ;  no  change,  and  there  won't  be  any 
until   the  death-rattle.     I   don't  know  what  she'd 


CiSAllTER   OAK.  119 

do  if  it  wasn't  for  lier  Bible.  That's  a  wonderful 
comfort.  What  a  misery  'twould  be  if  sli!>  couldn't 
read !  then  she'd  have  nothing  to  do  all  day  but 
«tare  at  the  wall." 

Presently,  he  clasped  his  hands  and  with  a 
bitter  laugh — "  it's  going,"  he  said,  "  to  be  hard 
scratching  for  me  this  year." 

"  And  why  more  than  last,  unless  you  get  bed- 
ridden, too  ?  Then  indeed  your  cup  would  be  full 
to  the  brim,"  remarked  the  dame. 

"  Well,  there's  not  much  fear  of  that,"  replied 
Mr.  Japheth.  "  But  work  will  be  slack — aye,  very 
slack  ;  for  since  I've  been  deprived  of  the  office  of 
tithing-man,  folks  look  upon  me  as  a  black  sheep, 
and  I'm  not  getting  a  single  shoe  or  boot  to  mend. 
But  let's  talk  about  something  else  -here  comes 
Miss  Lydia.  I  call  her  the  blessed  Lydia  ;  and  you 
Miss,"— turning  to  Mr.  Clark's  daughter—"  I  call 
you  the  blessed  Nancy  ;  you  are  both  so  kind  to 
my  wife  and  children." 

Lydia,  though  her  step  was  firm  and  her  bearing 
erect,  wore  on  her  countenance  this  evening  a  look 
of  uneasiness  which  startled  the  friends  who  were 
advancing  to  greet  her. 

"  How  is  he  ?"  whispered  Nancy. 

"  Worse  !  I  watched  at  his  bedside  all  last  night 
and  this  is  the  first  time  I've  been  out  to-day." 

Mrs.  Bull  repeated  Nancy's  question,  while  the 


120  EOMANCE   OP   THE 

cobbler  listened  attentively  to  everything  that  was 
said  about  Wadsworth,  and  when  the  giil  had  told 
them  all  they  wanted  to  know,  Mr.  Japheth  shook 
his  head. 

"  Poor  Captain  Joe,"  said  he,  "  I  don't  wonder 
he's  ill ;  after  setting  his  heart  on  a  republic,  to  have 
Mr.  Barebones  talk  the  people  out  of  it  is  enough 
to  drive  a  body  like  him  crazy.  True,  I  always 
thought  it  a  wild  scheme ;  but  it  must  have  taken 
no  common  brain  to  conceive  it,  and  if  the  people 
hadn't  had  their  heads  so  full  of  ducking  stools 
and  cages,  and  were  not  so  afraid  of  taxes,  why 
I  do  believe  there  migbt  have  been  a  chance 
of  our  becoming  free  under  such  a  leader  as  Wads- 
worth.  But  as  it  is,  I  think  the  ruling  elder's  peace 
policy  will  prevail." 

"  Shame  on  him,"  exclaimed  Lydia,  the  blood 
rushing  to  her  cheeks.  "  He's  an  arrant  coward. 
I'm  a  woman,  but  I'm  Avorth  a  hundred  Israel 
Barebones." 

"  Wadsworth  will  see  his  dream  come  true,"  said 
Nancy,  "  the  Lord  is  with  him."  This  remark  was 
followed  by  a  deep  silence,  and  Lydia  who  had  en- 
tered the  cabin,  turned  and  gazed  out  of  the  further 
window  which  commanded  a  view  of  the  school  land. 
She  was  yet  looking  in  that  direction,  when  Nancy 
approached  and  put  her  arm  round  her  waist.  But 
the  regicide's  daughter  still  kept  her  eyes  fixed  on 


CHARTEK   OAK.  121 

the  same  fpot  and  appeared  not  to  notice  her  friend. 
She  saw  Mr.  Clark  leaning  against  a  plow  and  with 
him  two  men,  one  of  whom  she  recognized  as  the 
same  who  had  been  dismissed  from  the  train-band, 
) and  the  sight  made  her  blood  boil.  "There,"  she 
murmured,  "  is  the  father  of  mv  friend  taking  pos- 
session of  what  does  not  belong  to  him,"  and  any- 
thing but  gentle  words  were  on  her  lips  when, 
presently,  Nancy  pressed  her  cheek  to  hers.  The 
struggle,  however  was  brief;  no,  she  could  not 
quarrel  with  the  poor  outcast. 

"We  will  stay  friends,"  she  said,  "in  spite  of 
that,"  pointing  towards  the  group  in  the  field. 

"  Oh,  I  see,"  replied  Nancy,  "may  the  Lord  for- 
give me  for  the  part  I  myself  took  in  bringing  it 
about.     Father,  father !" 

"  Well,  at  least  you  need  have  little  fear  on  his 
account,"  pursued  Lydia.  "  Sinc6'th'6  pusill animou s 
address  of  your  ruling  elder,  all  spirit  Seems  to  have 
vanished  from  the  train-band,  and  your  parent  can 
now  go  about  praising  Andros  and  his  royal  master 
with  impunity.  Indeed,  I  have  half  a  mind  to  re- 
turn to  the  wilderness  ;  yes,  I  do  believe  I  would  if 
it  were  not  for  my  father— I  hate  to  dwell  among 
cowards." 

Presently,  Nancy  drew  her  friend  away  from  the 
window  and  Mr.  Japheth,  who  was  tired  of  listening 
(io  the  tirade  against  the  I^i-ws  of  tbo  colony,  v-'hicU 


122  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

Mrs.  Bull  liad  been  pouring  into  his  ear,  sat  down 
beside  them  on  the  bench  and  asked  how  much 
hope  there  was  of  the  Captain's  recovery. 

"  A  great  deal,"  answered  Lydia.  "  Low  as  he 
is,  death  would  have  hard  work  to  master  him — he 
has  so  much  vitality.  He'd  fight  it  inch  by  inch 
and  not  do  as  I  think  Israel  Barebones  would — • 
cross  his  arms,  say  '  God's  will  be  done,'  and  ex- 
change worlds  as  humbly  as  if  he  were  going  to 
meeting." 

"  Is  he  delirious  ?"  whispered  Nancy.  "  Do  you 
think  he'd  know  me  if  I  went  there  ?" 

"  Yes ;  although  his  mind  wanders,  you  are  con- 
stantly in  his  thoughts.  Once  last  night  he  rose 
up  in  bed  and  called  your  name,  and  in  such  a  loud 
wailing  voice  that  his  aunt  must  have  heard  him. 
He  spoke,  too,  of  a  horrible  dream  which  she  had 
had  about  you  and  me ;  oh,  it  was  awful  to  listen  to." 

At  these  words,  Nancy  fell  on  her  knees  and 
clasping  her  hands,  began  forvjntl}^  to  pray.  The 
widow  motioned  Mr.  Japhetli  n)t  tj  intorrapt  her, 
while  Lydia  scarcely  breath  jd,  as  her  friend  sup- 
phcated  Heaven  in  behalf  of  Wads  worth.  At 
length,  with  a  cry  of  joy  ;  "  God  has  heard  me!" 
she  exclaimed,  "  God  has  heard  me  !  No,  no,  he 
will  not  die !"  then  rising  to  her  feet  she  threw  her- 
self on  Lydia's  breast  and  burst  into  tears. 

Mr.  Japheth  turned  to  the  widow  as  if  to  ask 


CHARTER   OAR  123 

what  she  tliouglit  of  this  strange  scene,  while  the 
dame  with  uplifted  hands  and  a  look  of  awe  on  her 
countenance,  murmured,  "  she's  had  a  sign  from 
the  Almighty — Captain  Joe  is  sure  to  live  !" 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

Neyer  did  sister  watch  by  a  sick  brother  more 
devotedly  than  Lydia  nursed  Wadsworth  during 
the  next  ten  days.  She  wore  herself  out  at  his 
bedside,  for  she  knew  that  she  owed  him  the  deepest 
gratitude  for  his  hospitality  to  her  aged  parent,  and 
moreover,  the  welfare  of  New  England,  perhaps  of 
^11  the  colonies,  depended,  she  firmly  believed,  on 
the  Captain's  recovery.  She  did  not  yet  realize 
the  change  which  had  come  over  the  people,  since 
the  speech  which  Israel  Barebones  had  delivered  in 
reply  to  Increase  Mather,  wherein  the  ruling  elder 
had  denounced  the  conspiracy  against  the  govern- 
ment and  had  counseled  them  to  rest  all  their  faith 
in  the  Almighty. 

Miss  Crabtree  would  often  knock  at  the  door  and 
ask  how  the  patient  was  getting  on,  as  well  as  offer 
to  reheve  Lydia  fiom  her  tiresome  duty.  But  the 
girl  preferred  not  to  have  Charity  in  the  roona. 


124  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

The  dame's  hatred  of  Nancy  Clark  was  already 
bitter  enough,  and  to  have  heard  Wadsworth  so 
often  mentioning  her  name  in  his  delirium,  and  the 
strange  revelations  which  he  sometimes  made  of 
their  early  intimacy,  would  bui^  have  intensified 
the  aunt's  aversion  for  the  young  woman.  Mad 
Adams,  however,  she  allowed  to  enter  the  sick 
chamber  as  often  as  he  pleased,  and  sometimes  she 
would  let  him  take  her  place  for  a  while  in  order 
that  she  might  enjoy  a  little  fresh  air. 

"  What  a  puzzle  she  is,"  he  would  say,  "  what  a 
puzzle  she  is.  If  she  doesn't  love  the  Captain,  why 
is  she  so  devoted  to  him?"  Then  a  fierce  look 
would  spread  over  the  publican's  face  as  he  thought 
of  the  stranger  who  had  been  so  friendly  with  her 
at  the  husking  party;  but  it  would  quickly  pass 
away  when  he  recalled  her  inspiring  words  to  the 
train-band  on  the  green.  "No,  no,"  he  would 
murmur,  "  my  suspicions  must  be  groundless.  Why 
should  she  be  other  than  what  she  appears  ?  was 
ever  a  countenance  more  fi'ank  ?  No,  the  girl  cannot 
be  a  hypocrite."  Every  day,  Lydia  would  take  a 
hurried  walk  as  far  as  the  widow's  cabin  and  report 
to  Nancy  the  sick  man's  condition.  But  it  was  no 
easy  matter  to  reach  the  other  end  of  the  toAvn,  for 
on  all  sides  she  would  be  hailed  by  anxious  people, 
every  one  of  whom  had  a  dozen  questions  to  ask 
about   the   Captain.     Moreover.   Adams  had  told 


CHARTER   OAK.  J.25 

them  liow  devotedly  ahe  was  nursing  Wadsworth^ 
and  many  a  knowing  wink  would  accompany  the 
question — "  How  is  Captain  Joe  to-day  ?" 

To  which  she  would  sometimes  respond  by  say- 
ing that  it  was  their  base  falling  away  from  his 
scheme  of  independence  which  had  caused  the  brain 
fever  ;  and  that  they  deserved  to  have  the  school 
land  taken  from  them  and  given  to  Nathaniel  Clark, 
since  there  was  not  enough  courage  left  to  fight  for 
their  rights.  Once  Nancy's  father  overheard  her 
speaking  thus  to  one  of  the  train-band,  and  he 
could  not  but  admire  her  spirit  and  think  what  a 
dangerous  person  she  might  have  proved  if  the  rest 
of  the  townfolks  had  agreed  with  her.  "  Yes,"  said 
he,  "  her  personal  appearance,  her  stinging  words, 
her  boldness,  are  well  calculated  to  make  her  a 
woman  of  influence,  and  such  as  Wadsworth  might 
indeed  covet  for  a  wife.  Oh,  why  have  I  not  a 
daughter  like  her  ?  If  the  Captain  recover,  I  won- 
der Avill  she  marry  him  ?"  This  question  Mr.  Clark 
was  asking  himself  one  afternoon  as  he  stood  in  I 
front  of  the  tavern  and  while  the  girl  was  ap- 
proaching on  her  way  to  the  widow's  house.  He 
observed  her  careworn  face  and  knowing  the  cause, 
determined  to  inquire  how  the  patient,  whom  she 
had  been  so  tenderly  nursing,  was  getting  on  ;  and 
should  she  tell  him  that  the  chances  of  his  living 
were  few,  what  good  news  it  would   be !     "  Yes, 


126  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

I  will  speak  to  her,"  he  said,  as  she  came  up,  "  and 
get  as  much  information  as  I  can.  Ha  !  how  her 
eye  flashes  as  she  sees  me  looking  at  her."  But 
Mr.  Clark  was  not  to  be  deterred  by  Lydia's  repel- 
ling glance.  His  impudence  equalled  his  cunning ; 
and  assuming  as  mild  an  expression  as  he  was 
capable  of,  he  thus  addressed  her:  "Pray,  Miss 
Garlic,  how  is  Mr.  Wadsworth  to-day  ?  Although 
I  frankly  confess  he  and  I  are  not  of  one  mind  on 
certain  weighty  questions,  nevertheless,  as  a  fellow 
townsman  I  take  no  little  interest  in  him.  'Twere 
a  pity  to  lose  him — has  his  fever  broken?" 

It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  Lydia's  con- 
temptuous look  as  this  wily  partisan  of  King 
James  thus  dared  make  believe  he  wished  anything 
but  ill  to  the  chief  of  the  train-band.  She  could 
have  struck  him,  so  deep  was  her  indignation  ;  and, 
moreover,  he  had  called  her  Miss  Garlic,  when 
there  was  little  doubt  that  he  knew  her  real  name. 

"  Do  you  take  me,  sir,  for  a  fool,"  she  exclaimed, 
*'  that  I  should  lose  a  moment  talking  to  the  basest 
citizen  of  this  commonwealth?  What  care  you 
about  Wadsworth  ?  His  death  would  fill  you  with 
joy,  and  you'd  not  lose  an  hour  sending  the  glad 
tidings  to  Andros.  Learn,  however,  that  he  is 
recovering  and  will  live  to  thwart  your  wicked 
machinations  and  punish  you  for  so  cruelly  treat- 
ing the  gentlest  and  worthiest  woman  in  Hartford. 


CHAirrER  OAK.  127 

Oh,  Mr.  Clark,  jour  soul  ought  to  wither  at  the 
thought  of  your  daughter  cast  adrift  from  home. 
I  almost  wish  she  might  die  and  haunt  300.  Nj 
ghust  would  ever  have  done  a  better  work." 

"Well,  how  is  she?  living  with  Mrs.  Ball  ?"— 
remorse  for  a  moment  getting  the  better  of  his 
selfish,  unfatherly  heart,  and  speaking  in  a  milder 
tone  than  Nancy  herself  had  ever  heard  him  use. 

"Yes,  and  loving  you  more  than  you  deserve. 
But  enough,  sir ;  let  me  go  my  way.  I  have 
already  lost  too  much  time."  With  this,  she  left 
him. 

It  was  Thursday,  lecture  day,  and  the  green  in 
front  of  the  old  meeting-house  was  crowded  with 
people,  among  whom  she  could  readily  distinguish 
the  commanding  figure  cl  Mr.  Bareboiies,  as  usual 
the  center  of  a  group  A  men  and  women,  whose 
grave  countenances  indicated  the  interest  they  w^ei'e 
taking  in  his  words,  and  although  anxious  to  reach 
Mrs.  Bull's  house — for  Wadsworth  had  passed  an 
excellent  night  and  she  wanted  as  soon  as  possible 
to  give  Nancy  the  cheering  news  -Lydia  could  not 
help  tarrying  a  few  minutes  to  hear  what  the  ruling 
elder  was  saying — she  suspected  it  was  something 
about  whipping-posts  and  ducking-stools. 

"  Why  have  ye  allowed  these  instruments  of 
punishment  to  fall  into  disuse  ?"  he  was  exclaiming. 
"Can  ye  expect  the   Lord   not   to    visit  ye   with 


128  ROMANCE   OP   THE 

severe  trials  if  je  do  not  immediately  hearken  to 
tlie  voice  of  His  CliurcL  ?  Cease,  therefore,  to  plot 
against  the  King.  God  in  His  proper  time  will 
cast  him  from  his  throne.  What  would  indepen- 
dence benefit  ye,  if  your  spiritual  condition  were 
neglected  and  Beelzebub  installed  sovereign  over 
ye  ?  Already  I  tremble  when  I  hear  of  the  increase 
of  witches  in  the  land.  It  is  a  woeful  sign — 
beware  !  Mend  your  ways  in  time,  brethren  ;  let 
religion,  not  politics,  have  the  first  place  in  your 
hearts." 

The  tavern-keeper,  who  was  one  of  the  group, 
scowled  and  uttered  an  oath  at  these  remarks ; 
but  Mr.  Phil  brick  and  nearly  all  the  others  nodded 
approval,  while  Tom  Hubbard,  jr.,  uttered  a  cat-call 
and  dropped  on  his  knees  so  that  liis  father  might 
not  discover  him.  Lydia's  countenance,  however, 
like  that  of  Mad  Adams,  flushed  with  auger — to 
stay  and  not  give  Mr.  Barebones  her  opinion  of 
him  was  an  imposibility.  Let  him  serve  her  as  he 
had  served  Mrs.  Bull,  it  mattered  naught  to  the 
daughter  of  the  regicide. 

"  Men  of  Hartford,"  she  exclaimed,  pushing  her 
way  among  the  people,"  do  j^ou  value  your  rights  so 
little  that  Israel  Barebones  can  make  you  bow  your 
necks  to  Audros?  Is  self-govornmont  worth  noth- 
ing in  your  eyes  ?  Think  you  that  when  the  tyrant 
has  Clashed  Connecticut  as  he  has  Massachusetts, 


CIIAilTEU   OAK.  129 

he  will  slop  there  ?  Will  he  not  close  jour  meet- 
ing-houses, and  bring  over  bishops  like  Laud,  who 
will  root  out  every  vestige  of  the  Pilgrim  fathers  i 
I  detest  many  of  the  laws  which  your  ministers 
have  induced  the  General  Court  to  pass  ;  but  whei 
episcopacy  shall  have  been  set  up  in  your  midst,  ifc 
will  entail  even  greater  evils  than  ducking-stools 
and  cages  for  sabbath-breakers.  Men  of  Hartford, 
independence  is  worth  fighting  for  ;  be  not  afraid  of 
heavier  taxes  and  bloodshed ;  Joseph  Wadsworth 
will  lead  you  to  victory." 

We  need  scarcely  say  that  every  e3'e  was  turned 
on  the  bold  intruder  ;  Mr.  Barebones'  under  jaw 
fell,  Adams'  face  was  wreathed  in  smiles,  Tom 
Hubbard  Clapped  his  hands  and  gave  a  faint  cheer, 
while  those  who  were  members  of  the  train-band 
felt  their  e.irs  tingle  with  shame. 

It  were  difficult  to  say  what  answer  the  ruling 
elder  might  have  made  to  this  ap])eal,  had  not  an 
incident  occurred  just  as  Lydia  had  finished  speak- 
ing, which  quite  changed  her  own  thoughts  as  well 
as  diverted  the  attention  of  the  crowd-. 

Eiding  towards  them  at  a  leisurely  gait,  clad  in 
the  scarlet  uniform  of  the  British  army,  and  with 
lace  and  epaulettes  betokening  an  officer  of  the 
siaff,  was  the  same  person  whom  they  had  seen 
more  than  once  before  carrying  dispatches  from 
Andros  to  Governor  Treat.     Captain  Synnot  had 


130  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

already  espied  Lydia,  and  it  was  perhaps  because 
her  eyes  were  fixed  on  him  that  he  had  drawn  in 
the  reins  so  as  not  to  pass  too  quickly  by.  He 
made  no  sign,  however,  that  he  recognized  the  girl 
whose  face  had  become  all  at  once  deadly  jDale. 
and  who  had  to  summon  all  her  resolutions  to  keep 
from  falling  to  the  ground. 

Mad  Adams,  with  the  exj)ression  of  a  tiger,  had 
viewed  Henry  Synnot  a  moment,  then  turned  and 
was  now  piercing  Lydia  through  with  his  flashing 
eyes.  Did  the  tavern-keeper  read  her  thoughts  ? 
Did  he  know  the  agony  she  was  suffering,  beheving 
as  she  did  tliat  the  officer  had  come  with  a  troop  of 
horse  to  take  away  her  father  ?  Adams'  hand 
clutched  the  hilt  ol  his  dagger.  "  It  is  a  mystery," 
he  said  to  himself — "  a  dark,  damnable  mastery  !  but 
'twill  soon  be  unravelled — with  his  heart's  blood  111 
find  it  out." 

Captain  Synnot  had  gone  perhaps  fifty  paces 
from  the  green,  and  was  about  touching  his  horse 
with  the  spur  when  he  heard  a  voice  calling  him, 
and  looking  round  saw  Lydia  approaching.  This 
action  on  her  part  filled  him  with  astonishment. 
What  might  not  the  people  suspect?  Was  there 
any  danger  brewing  which  she  wished  to  warn  him 
against?  She  seemed  agitated,  and  the  hand 
raised  towards  him  trembled. 

"  Do  you  come  alone,  sir,  or  with  a  band  of  hire- 


CHAHTER   OAK.  131 

lings  ?"  she  Lurriedly  usked,  and  pajing  no   heed 
to  the  words  of  greeting  which  he  addressed  her. 

"Alone,  Miss  Goffe/'  ho  repUed,  bending  down 
and  speaking  in  a  whisper.  "  Why  need  I  attend- 
ants ?  Have  the  townfolks  risen  against  the  King's 
authority  ?  Pray,  what  does  your  look  and  question 
l>etoken?" 

Anxiet^^  for  my  father,  whom  it  seems  you  have 
discovered.  Alas  !  the  fatal  secret  which  escaped 
me  the  night  we  first  met,  and  which  I  rashly  be- 
lieved was  safe  in  your  keeping,  has  been  followed 
up  with  all  the  adroitness  of  a  practiced  spy  ;  and 
you   have  revealed  it  to  Nathaniel  Clark,  and  of 

course  And/os  knows  it,  and oh,  baso betrayer!" 

Here  her  voice  failed  her,  she  did  not  weep,  her 
feelings  were  too  deep  for  tears ;  while  Captain 
Synnot,  who  as  soon  as  she  had  begun  speaking 
had  dismounted,  was  too  overcome  by  the  accusa- 
tion brought  against  him  to  answer  at  once  with 
the  energy  he  otherwise  might.  He  endeavored  to 
grasp  her  hand,  but  she  indignantly  repelled  him. 

"  Begone  !  do  not  touch  me,"  she  said. 

"  By  Heaven !  you  have  not  spoken  what  was 
true  !"  he  exclaimed,  at  length,  seeing  that  she  was 
about  to  leave  him.  "  Listen  but  a  moment — give 
me  a  chance  to  prove  my  innocence.  Your  father's 
hiding-place  was  discovered,  not  by  me,  but  by  Mr. 
Clark,  and  I  confess  that  he  urged  me  not  to  lose  a 


132  KOMANCE  OP  THE 

day  bringing  the  news  to  Sir  Edmund  ;  but  never 
will  I  betray  you  —no,  not  for  a  kingdom  ;  I  would 
sooner  die." 

"  Well,  how,  sir,  could  Mr.  Clark  have  found  out 
my  parent's  hiding-place,"  said  Lydia,  fixing  her 
eye  steadfastly  upon  him,  "  unless  through  you  ? 
He  did  not  come  to  the  husking." 

"  But  he  hovered  round  the  house.  Miss,  a^nd 
looked  in  through  a  window  and  saw  the  old  gen- 
tlemen as  he  was  peeping  out  of  an  inner  room.  I 
did  not  tell  you  of  this,  knowing  the  anxiety  it 
would  cause,  and  I  need  scarcely  add  that  the  in- 
formation I  am  now  giving  you  must  be  kept  from 
reaching  Mr.  Clark,  or  'twill  fare  ill  with  me." 

"  God  be  thanked  I"  cried  Lydia,  in  her  joy 
unable  to  restrain  her  tears,  and  now  letting  the 
officer  take  her  hand.  ''  God  be  thanked  !  my  dear 
father  is  safe  ;  oh,  yes,  Henry  Synnot,  I  will  trust 
you ;  I  will  indeed,  and  you  may  trust  me." 

"And  let  me  continue  your  faithful  lover,"  he 
said,  pressing  the  hand  which  but  for  tJie  curious 
eyes  staring  at  them  he  would  have  brought  to  his 
lips. 

Suddenly,  brushing  away  a  tear  and  looking  to- 
wards the  green — "  I  must  caution  you,  sir,"  she 
whispered,  ''  against  a  great  peril ;  your  life  may 
be  attempted  while  you  are  in  Hartford.  This  I 
would  have  told  you,  even  had  I  not  ceased  to  be- 


CHAKTKIl    0\K.  133 

lieve  you  had  betrayed  me,  for  I  could  not  forget 
that  you  once  saved  me  from  death." 

"  I  am  armed,  Miss  Goffe,"  he  replied,  with  a 
slight  curl  of  his  lip,  "  and  will  deliver  the  des- 
patches I  carry  in  my  saddle  bags  to  your  Governor 
at  every  hazard.  But  tell  me  at  what  hour  and 
place  can  I  meet  you  before  leaving  the  settle- 
ment?" 

"  Nowhere,"  a  blush  rising  to  her  cheek  as  she 
spoke.  "  The  less  we  are  seen  in  each  other's  com- 
pany the  better.  Beware  of  an  assassin.  My  own 
eyes  shall  be  on  the  watch  for  you.  Good-by !" 
With  this  she  withdrew  her  hand,  and  giving  him 
a  glance  full  of  meaning,  continued  her  way  to  Mrs, 
Bull's  cabin.  Nor  did  the  expression  of  wonder 
which  sounded  in  her  ear  as  she  passed  along  the 
edge  of  the  green,  cause  her  to  stop  a  single  mo- 
ment, nor  did  she  make  any  reply  to  one  or  two 
ill-natured  remarks.  She  walked  on  as  though  she 
heard  nothing,  and  in  a  little  while  reached  her 
friend's  house. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Having  delivered  his   dispatches   to   Governor 
Treat,    Captain    Syunot    hastened    to    Natliiiniei 


134  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

Clark's.  The  warning  which  Lydia  had  given  him 
he  could  not  disregard,  and  the  more  he  reflected 
upon  itj  the  more  he  wondered  that  the  people 
should  so  often  have  allowed  him  to  pass  to  and  fro 
unmolested  ;  for  the  accounts  which  Sir  Edmund 
had  received  since  his  arrival  in  Boston,  ail  indi- 
cated a  great  though  subdued  excitement  through- 
out the  colonies,  which  at  any  moment  might  break 
out  into  open  rebellion. 

Nancy's  father  evidently  expected  him,  for  the 
two  arm-chairs  were  drawn  close  to  the  hearth,  the 
fire  was  burning  brightly,  and  several  arm-loads  of 
hickory  were  piled  near  by. 

"  It  is  not  the  first  time  I  have  seen  you  to-day," 
remarked  his  host,  with  a  knowing  smile,  as  he  took 
the  Captain's  hat  and  sword. 

"  Ha  !  I  saw  Miss  Goffe  stop  you.  What  a  bold 
thing  she  is  !" 

Did  any  lurking  suspicion  cross  the  speaker's 
mind  as  he  thus  addressed  his  guest  ?  If  so,  no- 
thing on  his  countenance  revealed  it.  And  as  if 
this  meeting  between  the  Captain  and  the  regicide's 
daughter  had  left  but  a  slight  impression,  he  im- 
mediately went  into  an  adjoining  room  to  give  an 
order,  and  on  his  return  introduced  quite  another 
topic. 

"Now,  tell  me,  sir,"  he  began,  laying  his  hand  on 
the  officer's  arm,  "  what  did  Andros  think  of  my  great 


CHARTER   OAK.  135 

discovery  ?"  This  was  a  most  natural  question 
for  Clark  to  put ;  one,  too,  which  his  guest  had 
fully  prepared  himself  to  meet ;  and  knowing  that 
his  answer  would  not  be  satisfactory,  he  looked  the 
otliar  full  in  the  face  as  if  to  repel  the  scowl  which 
might  come  over  it. 

"  I  have  not  yet  informed  Sir  Edmund,"  replied 
Henry  Synnot.  "  His  Excellency  has  business 
enough  to  worry  to  death  stronger  men  than  he, 
and  this  piece  of  news  will  bear  keeping  until  a 
future  day.  The  regicide  is  safe  enough  under 
your  watchful  eye  :  surely,  he  will  not  leave  Hart- 
ford unless  he  suspects  danger. ' 

Mr.  Clark,  as  we  may  imagine,  was  thunder- 
struck by  this  announcement.  He  could  not  con- 
trol his  feelings  and  with  an  angry  shake  of  the 
head — "  wrong  !"  he  exclaimed,  "  wrong  ! — unwise  ! 
— perhaps  too  late — alas  !  why.  Captain,  I  did 
not  believe  you  could  be  so  lukewarm  in  the  mat- 
ter. ' 

The  blood  for  an  instant  rose  to  the  officer's  brow, 
and  his  flashing  eye  showed  the  temper  which  these 
words  had  provoked.  But  having,  as  we  have  al- 
ready said,  expected  his  host  to  manifest  some 
displeasure,  he  allowed  the  remark  to  pass  un- 
heeded. 

"  Oh  !  yes,  sir,  you  have  been  very  remiss — par- 
don me  for  saying  it,"  continued  Mr.  Clark.     "  Goffe 


136  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

already  knows  that  his  retreat  is  discovered  and  he 
may  any  hour  return  to  the  spot  which  so  long 
effectually  concealed  him.  No,  it  would  not  as- 
tonish me  if  he  were  to  escape  this  very  day." 

"  Well,  'twould  be  your  fault  if  that  were  to 
happen,"  rejoined  the  other.  "  Have  you  not  been 
careless  in  speaking  with  the  town-folks  ?  You 
think  you  have  friends  among  the  train-band  ;  are 
you  sure  they  have  not  been  playing  false  ?" 

"  I  have  not  breathed  a  word  of  it  to  any  of  them  ; 
I  was  too  shrewd.  But — "  here  he  covered  his  face 
with  his  hands  and  for  more  than  a  minute  did  not 
open  his  lips  ;  the  hard-hearted  parent  was  strug- 
gling with  himself.  Yet,  when  he  looked  up  you 
could  perceive  no  .softer  expression  on  his  face ; 
nothing  to  indicate  that  Nancy  was  forgiven.  No! 
his  thin  lips,  firmly  pressed  together,  told  only  of 
pitiless  resentment. 

"  Well,  then,  who  did  let  out  the  secret  of  your 
discovery  ?" 

"  Who  ?  Ah,  one  I  confided  in  as  I  did  in  my 
own  self.  It  was  she  betrayed  me — she  whom  you 
must  Lave  already  missed  since  you  crossed  my 
tbreshold  to-day.  Aye,  my  own  daughter  divulged 
the  secret."  Here,  Vr.  Clark  could  not  restrain 
his  feelings,  and  a  tear  moistened  his  eye.  But  it 
was  indignation,  bitter  disappointment,  the  crush- 
ing of  so  many  bright  hopes,  not  remorse  for  his 


CHAllTER   OAK.  137 

treatment  of  Naiic} ,  wliich  caused  this  momentery 
exhibition  of  grief. 

"I  have  punished  her  well,  however,"  he  con- 
j tinned.  "  I  have  sent  her  off.  I  don't  care  what 
becomes  of  her."  With  this,  he  rose  and  began 
pacing  up  and  down  the  apartment,  while  Cap- 
tain Synnot  remained  in  his  arm-chair,  thinking 
what  a  brave  young  woman  Miss  Clark  was,  and 
how  little  her  meek  face  revealed  her  true  character. 
Of  course,  he  could  not  openly  take  her  part,  but 
he  said  nothing  in  condemnation  of  what  she  had 
done  and  allowed  her  father  to  call  her  many  harsh 
names,  until,  tired  out  and  irritated  by  his  calmness, 
Mr.  Clark  resumed  his  seat  and  began  questioning 
him  about  Sir  Edmund's  plans  in  regard  to  the 
charter. 

"  His  Excellency."  replied  Synnot,  "  has  made  a 
further  demand  for  its  surrender,  and  it  is  this 
brings  me  again  to  Hartford.  Perhaps,  you  think 
the  Governor  is  lukewarm  in  the  matter — "  as  he 
spoke  he  turnc^l  towards  his  host  with  a  smile — 
"  and  that  he  ought  to  make  haste  and  seize  the 
instiuQient.  But  the  truth  is,  he  has  so  much  to 
occupy  his  thoughts  in  ■-' assachusetts,  that  he  can- 
not spare  time  to  come  to  these  parts.  Moreover, 
you  yourself  counseled  against  using  any  force  at 
present.  But  tell  me,  has  not  Dr.  Mather  been 
bare  lately?" 


138  EO  MANGE   OF  THE 

"  Yes,  and  such  a  ringing  of  bells  you  never  hear<l 
as  when  he  passed  down  the  street  with  Mr.  Wads- 
worth — in  whose  house  he  lodged  during  his  stay — 
holding  the  bridle  of  his  nag.  The  day  after  he 
arrived  there  was  a  meeting  held  there,  at  which 
he  urged  the  people  to  resist  by  force  of  arms  any 
encroachments  on  their  liberties ;  which  advice 
accorded  well  with  Wadsworth's  great  idea  of  revo- 
lution. But  when  he  had  done  speaking,  Israel 
Barebones,  the  ruling  elder,  answered  him  with 
wonderful  boldness  conjuring  his  hearers  to  ab- 
stain from  bloodshed  and  to  leave  everything  to 
the  Almighty.  It  was,  indeed,  a  very  important 
meeting,  and  has  wrought  a  great  change  in  the 
feelings  of  the  people,  who  from  being  loud  in 
their  boasts  of  opposing  His  Excellency,  now  speak 
only  of  the  heavy  taxation  which  war  would  surely 
bring  upon  them.  But  to  make  matters  still  more  in 
our  favor,  Joseph  Wads  worth,  the  head  and  fi'ont 
of  the  opposition,  is  very  low  just  now  \\ith  brain 
fever.  In  fact,  I  believe  nothing  has  saved  him 
from  the  grave  but  the  nurse  wlio,  for  ten  days  and 
nights,  has  watched  at  his  bedside.  Oh !  what  a 
girl  she  is !"  At  these  words  he  glanced  slily  at 
the  officer.  "  Who  may  she  be  ?"  inquired  the 
latter. 

"  Why,  the  one  whom  I  once  told  you  he  longs 
to  marry — the  same  who  has  proved   to   be    the 


CHARTER  OAK.  139 

regicide's  daughter  -  the  lass  who  made  so  free  as 
to  stop  3'ou  to-day  while  you  were  passing  the  green. 
Did  you  not  notice  that  her  cheeks  had  lost  much 
of  their  bloom  ?  It  was  the  sick  room  took  their 
color  away."  For  a  moment  Mr.  Clark  was 
tempted  to  ask  his  guest  what  Lydia  had  said  to 
him,  but  he  feared  the  latter's  hasty  temper,  and 
moreover,  it  was  not  his  policy  to  break  with  one 
who  held  a  position  on  the  staff  of  the  Governor  of 
New  England.  He,  therefore,  changed  the  subject 
and  began  speaking  of  the  school  land  which  no\^' 
belonged  to  him  ;  and  rubbing  his  hands,  informed 
Captain  Synnot  that  the  town  folks  had  not  made 
much  ado  about  it — a  sure  sign  that  their  spirit 
was  broken. 

"  And  it  shows  how  tame  a  brave  people  may 
become,"  said  the  other,  "  when  their  leader  is  not 
with  them.  Wadsworth's  recovery  may,  perhaps, 
kindle  anew  the  flame  which  once  burned  so 
fiercely  in  their  breasts." 

"I  doubt  it,"  said  Mr.  Clark.  "Besides, 'twill 
be  months  before  he  recovers  strength  enough  to 
go  about  and  harangue  them ;  and  by  that  time 
Sir  Edmund  will  have  the  charter  safe  in  his 
pocket."  Here  he  stopped  and  gazed  earnestly  at 
the  burning  embers.  "  But  I  would  rather,  "he 
continued,  "  they  might  keep  their  charter  and  all 
their  rights  ;  aye,  I'd  rather  be  dispossessed  of  the 


140  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

scliuol  land  thau  have  Goffe  escape.  N'),  no,  thai: 
must  not  be.  Captain,  I  beg  you  return  as  soon 
as  possible  to  Boston,  and  implore  His  excellenc}- 
to  send  without  delay  a  body  of  troops  to  arrest  the 
hoarj^-headed  regicide.     Do,  sir,  do." 

"  I  mean  to  return  this  very  night,"  said  the 
officer,  whose  mind,  at  this  moment,  was  oc- 
cupied with  the  warning  Lydia  had  given  him. 
"  Strange,"  he  thought,  as  he  leaned  back  in  the 
chair,  "  strange !  here  is  Mr.  Clark  assuring  me 
that  the  excitement  among  the  peoj)le  has  subsided, 
and  yet  the  girl  told  me  to  beware  of  my  life 
Might  it  be  some  private  vengeance  ?  Did  this 
Joseph  Wadsworth  recognize  me  through  my  dis- 
guise at  the  husking,  where  I  showed  her  so  much 
attention  ?  And  to-day  every  body  on  the  green 
must  have  observed  the  manner  in  which  she  ad- 
dressed me  ;  and  how  I  took  h(^r  hand.  But  never 
mind ;  I  have  a  brace  of  pistols  and  a  sword,  and 
I'll  make  a  good  fight  against  a  dozen  of  these 
rustics."  During  the  next  half  hour  and  until  the 
servant  announced  that  the  evening  meal  was  pre- 
pared. Captain  Synnot  hardly  opened  his  lips.  He 
felt  for  his  host  a  greater  contempt  than  ever,  a 
the  same  time  he  could  not  help  despising  his  own 
self  for  the  part  he  was  playing.  All  the  prompt- 
ings of  his  nature  bade  him  side  with  liberty,  yet 
every   daj^  he  was  proving  liimself  more  and  more 


CIIAKTErt    OAK.  141 

ilie  trusted  officer  of  the  tyrant  Andros.  His  was 
indeed  an  unpleasant  position,  and  yet  to  throw  up 
his  commission  would  draw  upon  him  the  suspicion 
of  his  excellency  unless  he  were  immediately  to  re- 
turn to  England.  And  were  he  to  adopt  this  last 
course  he  would  place  the  ocean  between  himself 
.ind  Lydia  Goffe,  But  one  thought  offered  him 
any  comfort,  and  that  was  rebellion  at  home. 
"  Aye,"  he  said  to  himself,  "  if  the  King  were  de- 
tlironed  and  succeeded  by  a  wise  monarch,  then 
these  colonies  would  I  believe  remain  tranquil,  and 
I  might  continue  in  the  army  without  doing  violence 
to  my  feelings.  But  alas,  I  see  no  immediate  pro- 
spect of  a  change.  Oh,  Wads  worth  !  Wadsworth  ! 
your  vision  of  independence  deserves  to  come 
true. 


CHAPTER    XXXIL 

After  her  brief  interview  with  Henry  Synnot, 
Lydia  continued  her  way  to  the  w^idow  Bull's,  where 
she  spent  the  rest  of  the  afternoon  helping  the 
good  woman  mend  some  house  linen  and  filling 
Nancy's  heart  with  joy  by  giving  hopeful  answers 
to  all  ihe  questions  the  latter  put  regarding  Wads- 


142  KOMANCE   OF   THE 

worth.  But  her  friends  noticed  that  whenever  she 
was  not  directly  spoken  to,  she  would  relapse  into 
a  brooding  state,  quite  unusual  to  one  whose  spirits 
had  always  seemed  as  gay  as  a  lark's  ;  and  al- 
though Miles  Standish,  whom  she  had  found  at  the 
cabin,  did  his  best  to  cheer  her  wp  by  rubbing  his 
head  against  her  gown  and  putting  tirst  one  paw, 
then  the  other  on  her  lap  ;  it  was  all  in  vain,  she 
paid  no  attention  to  him.  Nancy,  who  had  seen 
the  British  officer  arrive,  guessed  that  Lydia  must 
be  dreading  some  danger  to  her  parent ;  and  when, 
just  as  the  sun  was  going  down,  the  girl  rose  to 
depart,  she  accompanied  her  a  short  distance  be- 
yond the  threshold.  "  Tell  me,"  she  asked,  "  has 
Captain  Synnot  brought  any  soldiers  with  him  to 
arrest  your  father  ?  If  Wadsworth  is  not  yet  able 
to  leave  his  room,  you  and  I  might  rouse  the  train- 
band !  Where  is  Mad  Adams  ?  Yet  surely  I  must 
be  mistaken ;  there  can  be  no  immediate  danger  or 
you  would  not  have  remained  with  us  so  long  this 
afternoon." 

"  You  are  right,  Nancy,"  said  Lydia,  "  were 
father  in  peril  I'd  before  this  hava  ralliod  a-  -uii  1 
lie  the  few  brave  spirits  left  in  Hartford.  Although 
Israel  Barebones  has  made  many  cowards,  still  I 
know  there  are  some  who  would  hasten  to  doLn  1 
Colonel  Goffe." 

"  And  Simon  Adams  would  be  a  match  for  haK  a 


CHARTER   OAK.  143 

dozen  of  Andros'  meD  ;  lie's  a  tiger  when  he's 
roused,"  said  Nancy. 

At  these  words  tlie  other  i-huddered — she  re- 
called the  savage  look  of  the  tavein  keeper,  and 
the  w^ay  he  had  clutched  his  dagger,  when  he  had 
arrested  her  steps  on  the  bridge  a  fortnight  be- 
fore. Then  pressing  her  friend's  hand,  "  I  must 
hurry  away,  dear  Nancy,"  she  said,  "  I  must  hurry 
away.  Although  my  father  is  not  in  danger,  I  can- 
not remain  a  moment  longer — good  night !" 

Her  friend  would  fain  have  detained  her,  and  in- 
quired the  cause  of  her  anxious  expression  ; — she 
knew  something  must  have  happened.  What 
could  it  be  ?  "  Has  her  strange  manner  anything 
to  do  with  Captain  Synnot,"  thought  Nancy,  "  I 
believe  she  loves  him,  yet  I  know  she  hates  the 
master  he  so  faithfully  serves." 

Presently,  the  young  woman  re-entered  the  house 
—herself  less  cheerful  than  a  few^  minutes  before— 
and  Miles  Standish,  planting  himself  at  her  feet, 
gave  her  one  of  those  solemn  looks  which  Wads- 
worth  had  so  often  observed.  "  What  does  the 
oreature  mean,"  thought  Nancy,  "  staring  at  me  in 
that  way  ?  one  might  believe  he  was  trying  to  tell 
me  something.  Oh,  Wadsworth,  Wadsworth  !  it 
seems  an  age  since  I  gave  you  Miles.  What  a  link 
he  is  between  us  !  when  you  see  your  shadow  think 
of  me,  when  you  think  of  me — remember  your  vow." 


144  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

Leaving  Nancy  and  the  widow  we  will  now 
follow  Lydia  and  again  enter  with  her  the  abode, 
where  the  regicide  has  found  such  a  hospitable  re- 
treat. The  sun  had  disappeci..'!  below  the  horizon, 
and  when  she  opened  the  door  she  found  Miss 
Crabtree  in  the  act  of  lighting  the  lamp,  while  to 
her  wonder  and  delight  there  sat  the  Peqnot,  in 
front  of  the  blazing  fire,  telling  her  father  and  dame 
Garlic  all  that  he  had  done  since  they  had  left  him 
alone  in  the  log-house ;  and  she  smiled  an  instant 
as  she  heard  him  say  that  the  cow  and  sheep  and 
old  Jack  had  safely  arrived  and  were  at  that 
moment  in  Wadsworth's  barnyard.  Presently,  she 
glanced  towards  the  library  where  she  thought  she 
could  distinguish  the  sound  of  voices,  and  among 
them  that  of  her  host.  She  had  hoped  on  her 
return  to  find  him  seated  with  Colonel  Goffe  in 
pleasant  conversation  and  not  worrying  himself 
about  any  exciting  subject — who  could  he  be  talk- 
ing to  unless  Mad  Adams  ?  It  was  not  likely  he 
would  invite  any  body  else  into  his  sanctum.  "  What 
a  pity,"  thought  Lydia,  "  to  have  a  man  just  recov- 
ering from  brain  fever  and  scarcely  fit  to  leave  his 
bed,  roused  as  Captain  Joe  now  is." 

"  No — I  do  not  approve  it — open  war,"  exclaimed 
a  voice  which  she  knew  to  be  his,  "  open  war  ;  but 
not — "  here  the  tone  fell  as  if  the  speaker  did 
not   wish  to   have  the  rest  of   the  sentence  over- 


CHARTEJl   OAK.  14b 

heard.     The  girl  fancied,  however,  that  she  could 
distinguish  the  word — Murder  ;   at  the  same  time 
Colonel  Goffe  shook  his  head  and  declared  it  was 
a  pity  the  chief  of  the    rain-baud  could  not  be 
kept  quiet  a  few  days  longer — while   Miss  Crab  • 
tree,  who  since  Lydia's  unceasing  care  of  her  ne- 
phew  during   his  illness  had   become   thoroughly 
convinced   that   she   loved  himj  whispered  to  her 
not   to  let   Mad  Adams  trouble  Wadsworth  with 
politics.      "  I'm   sure   that's   what's   brought   him 
here,"    she   added.     "  He   came    a   half  hour  ago 
looking  ghim,  and  scarce  nodded  to  any  of  us — but 
making  a  sign  to  Joe  who  was  warming  himself 
by  the   fire — took  his  arm   and  led  him  into  the 
library  where  they've  been  ever  since,   disputing 
about  something.        Pray,  Lydia,  has  anything  un- 
usual happened  ?"     The  girl  shook  her  head,  then 
turning  to  the  Pequot — gave  him  a  look  which  he 
understood,  and  rising  from  the  bench,  the  youth 
followed  her  into  the  barn.     But  evm  there,  where 
it  was  almost  certain  no  one  else  was  present,  she 
scarcely   dared  trust   a   whisper ;    since   she   had 
learnt  how  Nathaniel    Clark   had   discovered   her 
father's  hiding-place,  even  the  walls,  might  have 
ears  ;   not   an   evening   had  passed  that  she   had 
not  drawn  the  curtains  over  the  windows — and  now 
before  she  opened  her  lips  she  gazed  up  into  the 
dusky  hay-mow— then  into  each  one  of  the  stalls— « 


146  liOMANCH   OF  THE 

tmd  even  raised  the  lid  of  a  bin  where  corn  was 
kept,  and  thrust  in  her  arm  to  feel  if  perchance  it 
might  not  conceal  an  eavesdropper. 

"'  1  want  you,  Christian,"  she  began,  "  to  rendei 
me  a  service  for  which  I  shall  ever  be  grateful.  It 
may  incur  some  risk  ;  but  you  are  no  coward. 
Are  you  willing  to  help  me?" 

"  What  you  say  is  true,"  replied  the  Indian, 
"  Christian  no  fear  anything.  My  tomahawk  is 
hanging  in  the  big  room  ;  my  arrows  are  new  ; 
who  has  wronged  my  flower  ?" 

"  Oh,  do  not  sj)eak  of  your  weapons,  nobody  has 
injured  me.  I  only  want  you  to  go  somewhere 
with  a  message." 

"  Bi:it  you  talked  about  risk  ;  then  why  not  take 
toma.hfxwk  and  arrows?" 

Seeing  how  determined  he  was,  she  made  no 
further  opposition.  Indeed,  the  only  thing  she 
feared  was  that  in  going  to  Mr.  Clark's  abode — 
where  Henry  Synnot  was  probably  staying — he 
might  be  discovered  by  Adams,  and  thus  dra^v  on 
himself  the  suspicion  of  the  erratic  tavern-keeper. 

"  I  am  ready — speak — I  go,"  pursued  the  Indian. 

"  Hush,  not  so  loud,"  whispered  the  girl — then, 
after  listening  a  moment,  she  began  :  "I  want  3^ou 
to  follow  the  road  which  runs  by  this  house  until 
you  come  to  a  bridge,  cross  it,  then  continue  on  till 
you  reach  a  stone  dwelling  on  the  left  hand   side. 


CHARTER   OAK.  147 

You  can't  miss  it — 'tis  the  only  stone  house  in 
Hartford.  There  ask  for  Captain  Synnot,  and  if 
he  is  in,  give  him  the  following  message :  '  She 
whom  he  once  saved  from  death  begs  him  to  leave 
the  settlement  this  very  night — he  must  not  stay 
till  morning.'     You  understand  ?" 

Christian  slowly  repeated  her  words,  then  going 
back  for  his  weapons  sallied  forth  into  the  street, 
and  in  less  than  ten  minutes  was  knocking  for  ad- 
mittance at  Mr.  Clark's  door. 

When  Lydia  returned  to  the  fireside  she  found 
Miss  Crabtree  with  a  frown  on  her  face,  which 
])assed  away,  however,  as  soon  as  she  apj)eared. 

"  He's  still  in  the  library  worrying  my  nephew 
about  dear  knows  what,"  said  the  dame.  "  Hence- 
forward, Miss  Lydia^at  least  until  he's  quite 
strong  I'll  put  my  foot  doAvn  and  not  let  Adams 
cross  the  threshold.  No,  nobody  but.  you  shall  go 
near  Joe.  'Twas  your  nursing  saved  his  life,  and 
1*11  not  have  your  good  work  undone  by  a  scape- 
grace— half  crazy  tavern-keeper.'* 

The  girl  made  no  response,  but  stood  quietly  be- 
side her  father's  chair,  now  gazing  down  on  his 
white  locks,  then  turning  her  eyes  towards  Wads- 
worth's  study  ;  while  Goody  Garlic,  who  narrowly 
watched  her  countenance,  felt  sure  her  charge 
had  some  trouble  on  her  mind,  for  it  was  not  her 
habit  to  be  so  silent.  Why  had  she  gone  into 
the  barn   with   the   Pequot?     And  why  had  the 


148  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

Indian  come  back,  then  departed,  carrying  with  him 
his  tomahawk  and  bow  ? 

In  about  five  minutes  the  door  of  the  hbrary 
opened  and  Wadsworth  advanced  towards  the 
hearth,  his  feeble  gait  and  wan  face  indicating  how 
very  ill  he  had  been.  Adams  was  following,  but 
instead  of  taking  a  seat  by  his  chief  and  waiting 
to  partake  of  the  evening  repast,  he  walked  sullen- 
ly out  of  the  house,  glancing  at  Lydia  as  he  went 
and  muttering  something  she  could  not  under- 
stand, but  which  she  had  only  too  much  reason 
to  dread  were  words  of  evil  omen  for  Henr^" 
Synnot.  Nor  could  she  wonder  that  Simon  enter- 
tained bitter  feelings  against  him.  "  Poor  fellow  !" 
she  said  to  herself,  "  he  has  set  his  heart  on  my 
becoming  the  wife  of  Wadsworth.  Yes,  he  hinted 
it  broadly  enough  the  last  visit  he  paid  us  in  the 
wilderness ;  and  indeed  such  a  match  would  strike 
most  people  as  very  proper,  for  my  views  quite 
agree  with  those  of  the  Captain  of  the  train-band 
in  regard  to  independence ;  and,  moreover,  my 
parent  and  myself  are  sojourning  under  his  roof. 
But  no,  no,  I  cannot  be  his  wife — I  love  another. 
Adams  suspects  as  much  and  knows  that  he  is  an 
officer  on  Andros'  staff.  Yet,  alas  !  svhile  Henry 
Synnot  is  serving  King  James,  I  would  not  accept 
his  hand  should  he  offer  it."  And  the  sorrowful  ex- 
pression of  her  face  grew  deeper  as  she  thought  of 
this  barrier  between  them. 


CHARTER   OAK.  149 

The  fii-e  continued  clieerfally  to  blaze ;  her  fa- 
ther, garrulous  old  gentleman,  tried  to  make  her 
see  fantastic  images  in  the  embers  ;  Miss  Crab- 
tree  patted  her  every  few  minutes  on  the  head ; 
Prudence  rallied  her  for  her  despondent  looks — all 
no  purpose.  The  crackling  sparks  flew  up  the 
chimney  -  the  cricket  chirped — still  Lydia  remained 
in  moody  silence  ;  and  when  she  took  her  place  at 
the  supper  table  she  hardly  ate  a  mouthful. 

The  only  person  who  did  not  ^eem  surprised 
at  her  manner  was  Wadsworth  whose  counten- 
ance was  if  possible  even  less  cheerful  than  her 
own.  He  had  learned  from  the  tavern-keeper 
how  she  and  the  British  officer  had  met  that 
day  near  the  green  ;  and  distressing  as  were  the 
suspicions  which  Adams  had  conjured  up,  he  could 
not  altogether  disbelieve  them.  Yes,  his  scout  had 
actually  seen  the  officer  press  her  hand,  and  had 
oftered  to  produce  a  hundred  witnesses  of  the  fact. 
Then,  he  recalled  ihe  dream  Nvhich  his  aunt  had 
told  Dr.  Mather.  Was  it  coming  true  ?  Had 
the  devil,  indeed,  whispered  in  Lydia's  ear  ?  She 
certainly  went  no  more  to  meeting  on  the  Sabbath, 
nor  did  she  attend  the  Thursday  lectures.  "  But 
in  that  vision,"  he  soliloquized,  "  my  aunt  saw 
Nancy  Clark  whispering  to  her— no,  it  was  a  lying 
dream  as  far  as  that  young  w  oman  is  concerned — 
Nancy  is  good  —Nancy  is  sure  of  heaven — O  would 


150  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

I  were  half  as  sure  of  it  as  slie !  Poor  Nancy ! 
Haunting  memory !  Wherever  I  go  I  hear  her 
warning  voice.  When  I  was  ill  I  could  swear  I  saw 
her  kneeling  near  my  Led,  and  Miss  Lydia  de- 
clares that  once  I  shrieked  her  name.  Here  Wads- 
worth  looked  nervously  round  and  shuddered  as  if 
he  had  seen  some  horrible  object,  while  drops  of 
perspiration  moistened  his  brow. 

"  Ah,  Joe  !"  exclaimed  his  aunt,  shaking  her  top^ 
knot  -over  him,  "  you're  not  looking  as  well  as  a 
couple  of  hours  ago  ;  you're  excited  about  some- 
thing. If  you're  not  careful,  you'll  get  a  relapse, 
and  then  even  Miss  Lydia's  nursing  may  not 
rescue  you  a  second  time  from  the  grave.  I  was 
in  hopes  since  Israel  Barebones  had  delivered  his 
harangue  in  favor  of  peace,  that  you  had  given  up 
your  scheme  of  rebellion ;  yet  I'm  sure  you  and 
Mad  Adams  have  been  talking  war.  Fie  on  him, 
for  not  knowing  better  than  to  worry  a  sick  man 
with  such  matters  !     Fie  on  him  !" 

Wadsworth  let  her  talk  on,  and  we  may  rely 
upon  it  the  dame  did  not  finish  her  scoring  of  the 
publican,  till  the  latter  had  been  called  many  a  rudo 
name;  and  she  wound  up  by  handing  her  nephew 
entirely  over  to  the  keeping  of  Lydia.  The  girl 
could  not  help  blushing  and  casting  her  eyes  on 
the  floor  when  the  aunt  came  to  this  part  of  the 
exhortation,  for    she  did   not  doubt   that    Simon 


CHARTER  OAK.  151 

had  informed  lier  host  all  about  her  interview  with 
the  officer  ;  and  while  the  old  lady  entertained  so 
exalted  an  opinion  of  her,  what  place  must  she 
hold  in  Wads  worth's  estimation? 

"  I  thank  Miss  Lydia,  a  thousand,  thousand 
times  for  her  unceasing  care  of  me,  during  my  ill- 
ness," murmured  Wadsworth ;  "  you  could  not 
have  handed  me  over  to  the  keeping  of  one  in 
whom  I  take  a  profounder  interest."  These  w^ords 
he  spoke  without  lifting  his  eyes  from  the  fire  ;  his 
arms  were  crossed  on  his  breast,  and  his  voice, 
though  low,  was  earnest  and  full  of  deep  feeling. 
"  Which  ever  Avay  I  turn,"  he  soliloquized,  "  the 
horizon  is  dark.  If  my  vow  was  a  vow  which  I  am 
not  bound  to  keep  and  the  learned  and  pious  Dr. 
Mather  says  it  was  prompted  by  the  devil— then 
am  I  powerless  to  resist  the  passion  I  feel  for  the 
regicide's  daughter.  I  have  prayed  for  strength  — 
yet  I  am  weaker  than  ever.  O  Nancy,  what  would 
you  say  if  you  could  read  my  heart  ?  How  you 
would  despise  me !  ^  And  Lydia,  bewitching  crea- 
ture !  what  is  this  Adams  has  been  telling  me 
about  you?  Oh,  who  will  explain  my  aunt's 
horrible  dream  ?"  Here  his  head  sank  on  his 
breast  and  he  remained  with  closed  lips  for  more 
than  an  hour.  Colonel  Goffe  tried  to  engage  him  in 
conversation,  Prudence  pulled  Lydia  by  the  sleeve 
and  urged  her  to  sa}  somelhing  to  rouse  him  from 
his  stupor,  Charity  almost  cried  ;  but  there  he  sat 


152  ROMANCE   or  THE 

heedless  of  tlieir  entreaties  to  return  to  his  couch. 
Once  only  did  he  look  up  and  then  his  cavern- 
ous eyes  turned  upon  Lydia,  but  the  girl  seemed  to 
shun  his  gaze.  Her  own  arms  were  folded.  She 
was  not  thinking  of  him,  nor  of  her  father,  nor  of 
Nancy  Clark,  nor  of  the  widow  Bull,  nor  the  bed- 
ridden Mrs.  Japheth,  but  of  one  whom  she  loved 
with  an  intensity  which  she  could  not  explain  to 
her  own  self — the  very  spot  on  her  hand  which 
he  had  once  kissed  seemed  again  to  feel  the  pres- 
sure of  his  lips.  She  could  not  much  longer  re- 
main indoors.  The  hour  was  growing  late,  it  was 
tirqe  for  her  to  seek  repose,  but  for  Lydia  Goffe, 
there  was  to  be  no  sleep  this  night ;  Henry  Synnot's 
life  was  in  danger,  she  would  hazard  her  own  to 
save  it.  "Woe  to  Adams  if  his  dagger  finds  its 
mark,"  she  said  to  herself,  suddenlj^  rising  from  her 
chair — "  I  can  strike  as  desperately  as  he." 

She  was  anxious  that  the  family  should  retire  to 
rest,  so  that  she  might  slip  out  of  the  house  unseen, 
and  rightly  judged  that  if  she  led  the  way  up  staii"S 
the  others  would  presently  follow,  and  then,  when 
they  would  be  all  asleep,  her  cLance  would  come. 
Accordingly,  she  bade  them  good  night,  and  with- 
drew to  her  bedroom,  wishing  that  dame  Garlic 
were  with  her,  for  ever  since  Wadsworth  liad 
appeared  to  her  there  in  his  sleep,  she  had  felt  a 
horror  of  being  in  it  alone.     But  never  had  she  felt 


CHAETER   OAK.  153 

SO  nervous  as  now.  The  lamp  flickered  and  seemed 
ever}^  moment  on  the  point  of  going  out ;  the 
ancient  chair,in  which  her  host's  father  and  grand- 
father had  breathed  their  last, loomed  up  to  double 
J  its  usual  size,  and  when  she  glanced  at  the  horse- 
shoe on  the  bed  post  she  half  fancied  she  saw  a 
witch  standing  by  it.  "  What  a  fool  I  am  to  be  so 
agitated,"  she  said  to  herself,  just  as  Goody  Garlic 
appeared  ;  "  and  yet  I  can't  help  it ;  1  may  see 
blood  to-night." 

Half  an  hour  later  the  house  was  silent.  Lydia 
had  heard  her  father.  Miss  Crabtree  and  Wads- 
worth  ascend  the  staircase  ;  Prudence  was  already 
snoring — now  was  her  opportunity.  With  heav- 
ing heart  she  rose  and  softly  put  on  her  gown. 
There  was  no  fear,  however,  of  awakening  the  old 
nurse — scarcely  anything  less  than  an  Indian  war- 
whoop  could  have  done  that — it  was  Miss  Crab- 
tree's  ears  the  girl  most  dreaded,  for  they  seemed 
ever  on  the  alert. 

In  order,  therefore,  to  make  as  little  noise  as 
possible,  she  discarded  her  shoes  and  put  on  her 
moccasins,  then  having  clasped  her  hands  and 
breathed  a  short  prayer,  glided  out  of  the  room  and 
down  the  staircase,  which  creaked  in  the  most 
provoking  manner.  Once  on  the  lower  floor  she 
was  safe  and  felt  tempted  to  stay  a  moment  and 
warm  herself  by   the   smouldering   embers.     But 


154  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

iliere  was  no  time  to  lose — perhaps  Adams  had 
already  set  out  on  his  evil  mission ;  so  throwing 
her  scarlet  mantle  over  her  shoulders,  she  gently 
raised  the  latch  and  went  on  her  way.  It  was  a 
sweet  spring  night — the  frogs  were  croaking — the 
air  was  scented  with  clover  blossoms  and  wild 
flowers — and  under  other  circumstances  Lydia 
would  have  enjoyed  a  walk  at  this  hour.  But  now 
only  one  object  engrossed  her  thoughts — where  was 
Mad  Adams  ?  The  nine  o'clock  bell  began  to  ring 
as  she  hurried  along  in  the  direction  of  the  Bunch 
of  Grapes,  and  when  she  had  got  to  within  a  short 
distance  of  it,  she  halted  and  listened.  "Yes," 
she  said,  "  that's  his  voice  bidding  some  one  good- 
night. Honest  publican,  how  careful  he  is  to  close 
his  door  at  nine  !  Thank  God  he  has  not  yet  gone 
to  lay  in  wait  for  Henry."  Presently,  she  heard 
footsteps  approaching,  and  in  another  moment 
Christian  was  by  her  side.  "  Did  you  deliver  my 
message  ?"  she  whispered,  eagerly  seizing  his  arm. 

"  Yes,  he  go  way  before  morning,"  was  the  lad's 
response. 

"  Good  !  but  tell  me  did  Mr.  Clark  or  any  one 
else  see  }'0U  speaking  to  the  officer  ?" 

"  Mad  Adams  saw  me  coming  out  of  the  gate, 
Miss." 

Lydia  started  :  "  sorry,  very  sorry,"  she  mur- 
mured.    "  This  Clark  is  a  partisan  of  the  tyrant 


CHARTER   OAK.  155 

Andros,  who  they  say  is  enhstiug  Indians  in  his 
service.  Oh,  I  am  sorry.  Adams  will  suspect  thai 
you  went  there  for  a  bad  puipose,"  To  this  Chris- 
tian made  no  reply,  but  asked  if  she  wanted  him  to 
do  anything  more.  "Yes,"  said  Lydia,  "I  want 
you  to  approach  a  few  steps  nearer  the  tavern,  and 
see  who  that  is  shutting  the  windows."  The  Pequot 
obeyed,  and  soon  came  back  to  report  that  it  was 
Simon.  In  another  moment  they  heard  him  walk 
away.  "Now  give  me  your  tomahawk,"  whispered 
Lydia,  "  and  then  return  to  Mr.  Wadsworth's  ;  but 
if  you  meet  anybody  don't  tell  where  I  am." 

Christian,  although  surprised  at  her  strange  re- 
quest, allowed  her  to  take  his  weapon  ;  then  shrug- 
ging his  shoulders  tun?  3d  on  his  heel  and  proceed- 
ed towards  the  Captain's  abode.  It  was  not  his 
purpose,  however,  to  leave  one  in  whom  he  felt 
such  an  interest,  alone  at  this  hour  of  the  night, 
and  bent  on  dear  knows  what  mad  freak.  So, 
after  he  had  advanced  about  fifty  paces  he  stopped, 
listened   a  moment,  then  noiselessly  retraced  his 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Swiftly   Lydia   glided   along    the   street.     She 
could  not  distinguish  Adams'  figure  in  the  dark- 


156  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

ness,  but  the  soixad  of  liiw   footsteps  guided  her  in 
the  direction  he  wn^  taking.     As  she  had  suspected 
he  was  bent  on  an   errand  of  vengeance,  and  once 
when  she  had  appv  >ached  perhajDS  a  little  nearer 
than   was    prudent,    she    heard   him    cursing    the 
British  officer,  who   lie  firmly  believed  had  robbed 
the  Captain  of  the  iv  lin-band  of  a  priceless  jewel. 
Then  a  laugh  followt.1  the  curse — a  laugh  so  wild 
that  it  sent  the  blood  to  her  heart,  and  several  win- 
dows flew  open  and  tho  inmates  looked  out  wonder- 
ing at  the   sound.     As  it  died  away  she  clutched 
the  handle  of  the  tomalictwk — Adams  might  accom- 
plish his  purpose  but   not  without  bringing  swift 
retribution  on  his  own  head.     Soon  Lydia  and  the 
one  she  was  following  had  crossed  the  bridge,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  more  the  tavern-keeper's  footsteps 
ceased — he  had  stoj^ped  at  Mr.  Clark's  gate.     The 
girl's  heart  beat  louder,  and  gliding  on  she  present- 
ly caught  sight  of  his  figure  leaning  against  the 
fence.      At  once  she  crouched  down,  and  straining 
her  eyes  through  the  darkness  anxiously  waited  for 
his  next  move.     It  was  some  time,  however,  before 
he   changed  his  position ;  then,   opening   the  gate 
and  with  body  bent  low,  he  glided  up  towards  the 
stable,  which  was   partly  in  the  rear  of  Mr.  Clark's 
mansion,  and  in  the  oj^en  door  of  which  a  lantern 
was  glimmering.     Lydia  rose  to  follow,  and  had  al- 
ready entered  the  path  when  suddenly  he  came 


CHARTER   OAK.  157 

running  back  and  she  had  barely  time  to  throw 
herself  flat  on  the  ground  when  he  hastened  b}. 
"  He  must  have  discovered  something,"  she  thought, 
springing  to  her  feet  just  as  he  gained  the  road, 
"  perhaps  the   Captain  is   saddling  his   horse,  in 
which  case  I'd  better  warn  him  to  leave  town  by 
another  way.     With  this  object  in  view  she  was  on 
the  point  of  going  up  to  the  house  when  the  dooi 
opened  aud  Mr.  Clark  appeared  with  his  guest. 
"  A  fine  night,"  said  Nancy's  father. 
"  Yes,  I  Avould  as  leave  travel  now  as  in  the  daj 
time,"  the  officer  replied. 

Fearful  ^f  being  seen  by  Mr.  Clark,  Lydia  did 
not  wait  to  hear  more,  but  withdrew,  resolved  to 
follow  Adams,  whose  tread  she  could  distinguish 
going  in  a  southerly  direction,  and  who,  little  dream- 
ing that  anybody  was  on  his  tracks,  did  not  stop 
again  until  he  had  gone  a  full  mile  beyond  the  con- 
fines of  the  settlement.  There  he  halted  and  be- 
gan carefully  examining  the  ground  on  both  sides 
of  the  road,  at  this  point  densely  lined  with  haze^ 
bushes,  while  a  few  paces  back  the  forest  trees 
reared  their  shadowy  forms ;  and  in  the  branches 
of  one  of  them  a  screech-owl  was  uttering  its  dole- 
ful cry.  It  was  the  very  spot  to  accomplish  his  fell 
design.  The  report  of  his  pistol  would  hardly 
reach  the  ears  of  the  guard  on  Wyllys'  hill,  should 
they  be    awake,  wdiich,  however,   was    not   at    all 


158  EOMANCfi   Ot'  TItE 

probable,  for  since  Wadswoith's  illness,  the  discip- 
line and  soldiery  habits  of  the  train-band  had  woe- 
fully relaxed. 

Having  selected  his  place  of  ambush  he  disap- 
peared from  view,  and  presently  the  girl,  following 
his  example,  likewise  hid  herself  among  the  bushes, 
whence  she  began  anxiously  listening  for  the  ap- 
proach of  her  lover.  There  was  something  awful 
in  the  stillness  of  the  night,  broken  only  by  the 
voice  of  the  owl,  and  it  was  perhaps  to  keep  his 
courage  up  that  Simon  commenced  in  a  few  minutes 
to  whistle  and  hack  at  a  tree  with  his  sword. 

"  He  has  taken  more  than  one  glass  of  liquor, 
before  starting  out,"  thought  Lydia ;  "  yes,  I'm  sure 
he  has."  Now  and  then  the  whistling  would  cease, 
he  was  doubtless  listening  for  Captain  S}nnot.  At 
length  he  became  perfectly  quiet,  and  she  wondered 
if  he  might  have  changed  his  hiding-place.  Yet 
this  did  not  seem  probable,  for  she  had  not  heard  a 
twig  crackle ;  could  he  have  fallen  asleep  ?  As 
this  thought  struck  her,  she  got  up  and  was  on  the 
point  of  advancing  to  reconnoitre,  when  she  was 
startled  by  hearing  her  name  whispered,  and  look- 
ing round  beheld  the  Indian  close  by.  "  You  mo\e 
like  a  spirit,"  she  said,  "  I  thought  you  were  at 
Captain  Wadsworth's  ?" 

"  No,  Christian  here,"  was  the  stolid  answer. 
"Why  did  you  not  obey  me?"     To  this  there 


CHARTER   OAK.  159 

was  no  response,  and  knowing  how  useless  it  would 
be  to  argue  tlie  matter  with  him,  Lydia  in  a  few 
words  explained  the  object  of  her  coming  out  at 
such  an  hour ;  then  infoi-ming  him  that  Adams  \v;is 
lying  concealed  not  many  paces  off — bade  him  try 
and  discover  if  he  were  sleeping — "  and  if  he  is," 
she  added,  "  steal  his  weapons." 

The  Pequot  nodded,  then  telling  her  to  lay  down 
again,  proceeded  to  carry  out  her  instructions.  A 
quarter  of  an  hour  must  have  elapsed  before  he  re- 
appeared. How  the  girl's  heart  beat  during  that 
interval?  Were  Adams  awake,  what  might  hap- 
pen, if  he  found  the  Indian  crawling  upon  him? 
But  Christian  was  a  full-blooded  Pequot  and  he 
performed  his  mission  without  stirring  a  twig  or  a 
leaf — as  Lydia  had  said,  he  moved  like  a  spirit,  and 
almost  before  she  could  distinguish  his  dusky  form 
he  had  placed  on  her  lap  the  tavern-keeper's  sword 
and  pistol. 

"  Good,  good,"  she  whispered,  "  oh,  I  cannot 
thank  you  enough  ;  and  now.  Christian,  I  once 
more  beg  you  return  to  Mr.  Wadsworth's.  But  as 
you  cross  the  bridge  throw  Simon's  arms  into  the 
river.  Also,  take  back  your  tomahawk,  I  shall 
have  no  use  for  it." 

The  youth  again  pretended  to  obey ;  then,  after 
he  had  been  gone  about  five  minutes,  Lydia,  rose 
and  followed  in  the  same  direction.     She  washed  to 


160  BOMAKCE   OF  THE 

speak  a  few  words  with  Henry  Syiinot,  and  pre- 
ferred to  meet  liim  at  a  spot  further  away  from 
Adams,  who  might  be  roused  by  the  horse's  trnrnp, 
and  who,  as  soon  as  he  missed  his  weapons,  woukl 
suspect  her  of  the  theft  if  he  found  her  conversing 
with  the  officer. 

Captain  Synnot  and  the  daughter  of  the  regicide 
met  half  way  between  Mr.  Clark's  house  and  the 
tavern-keeper's  place  of  ambush,  and  it  would  be 
difficult  to  describe  the  astonishment  of  her  lover 
when  he  found  her  all  by  herself  on  the  high  road 
at  that  time  of  night.  Hastily  dismounting,  he 
asked  what  had  brought  her  there. 

*'  To  make  more  certain  of  your  safety,"  answered 
Lydia.  "  A  short  distance  ahead  lies  one  bent 
on  taking  your  life.  But  I  have  stolen  his  arms, 
and  now  the  danger  is  averted.  l>o  not  punish 
him,  or  heed  aught  that  he  may  say,  should  the 
tramp  of  your  steed  wake  him  as  you  go  by — he 
was  sleeping  soundly,  however,  when  I  left  him  a 
while  ago.'* 

"  Brave  girl !"  exclaimed  Synnot,  "  you  are  jusi 
what  I  took  you  to  be  the  first  time  we  met.  Yes, 
Goffe's  blood  runs  in  your  veins  ;  to  please  you  the 
wretch  shall  go  unpunished.  But  tell  me  who  was 
the  Indian  you  sent  to  give  me  notice  of  this  peril  ? 
I  met  him  a  short  distance  back,  walking  towards 
the  settlemeiit." 


CHARTEPv   OAK.  161 

Ljdia  now  briefly  narrated  what  she  knew  about 
the  Pequot — his  faithful  services  to  her  father  in 
their  home  up  the  Connecticut  ;  and  ended  hj  ex- 
pressing her  sorrow  that  Mad  Adams  should  have 
discovered  him  as  he  was  leaving  Mr.  Clark's  that 
evening.  "  All  his  race,"  she  went  on,  "  are  sus- 
pected of  being  in  the  pay  of  Andros,  and  poor 
Christian  may  fall  under  the  suspicion  of  the  town 
folks." 

Captain  Synnot  remained  silent  a  moment.  He 
could  not  deny  that  many  of  the  Indian  tribes  had 
been  bribed  by  Sir  Edmund  to  side  against  the 
colonists,  should  the  latter  rise  against  his  authority 
— and  as  T^ydia  went  on  speaking,  he  felt  more 
keenly  than  ever,  the  difficult  part  he  was  playing. 
While  he  remained  on  Sir  Edmund's  staff  he  wished 
loyally  to  perform  his  duty  ;  yet  had  he  not  already 
proved  faithless?  Had  he  not  concealed  what  he 
knew  of  the  regicide  ?  Ought  he  now  to  reveal  to 
Lydia  Go£fe,  whom  he  almost  worshipped,  what  he 
knew  of  Andros'  plot  with  the  savages  ?  ''  No,  I 
cannot,  'twould  be  dishonoiable,"  he  said.  Then 
gazing  up  on  the  starry  heavens,  he  uttered  a  fer- 
vent prayer  that  a  change  might  take  place  in  the 
mother  country  ;  tliat  a  more  liberal  monarch  might 
come  to  the  throne,  one  who  would  better  under- 
stand how  to  treat  the  colonies.  "  Then,'*  he  con- 
tinued, "  this  noble -spirited    girl  might  return   my 


162  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

love;   but   while   I  serve  King  James,  she  ? lever 
wiU."  . 

Suddenly,  and  as  if  she  had  read  his  thoughts, 
Ljdia  withdrew  the  hand  he  was  clasping,  and  in  a. 
voice  which  betrayed  a  shadow  of  scorn,  "go  sir," 
she  said;  "delay  no  longer.  You  have' doubtless 
important  dispatches  for  your  master  in  Boston — 
go  !  I  will  stay  and  do  my  utmost  to  thwart  his 
wicked  schemes."  - 

"We  cannot  toll  what  is  in  the  womb  of  the 
future,"  returned  Sjamot. 

"  Do  not  reproach  me,  Miss  Goffe.  Let  us  hope 
a  day  ma}^  arrive  wlien  you  will  view  with  less  dis- 
favor the  colors  I  serve  under.  Judge  me  with 
charity  ;  and  in  Boston,  or  wherever  else  I  may 
be,  I  vow  that  you — you  alone  shall  have  all  my 
heart." 

With  this  he  dropped  on  his  knee,  and  again  seiz-  i 
ing  her  hand  pressed  it  to  his  lips.     Lydia's  bosom 
heaved.     Oh,   what  would  she  have  given  to  have 
spoken  out  all  that  she  felt. 

"  May  I  hope,"  continued  the  officer,  rising  up, 
"  that  you  wdll  think  of  me  now  and  then,  and  when 
you  hear  those  who  wear  my  uniform  spoken  ill  of, 
say  tc  yourself,  '  there  is  one  among  them  who  loves 
libeity.'" 

"  I  will,"  murmured  Lydia  ;    "  oh,  yes,   I  will."    ' 
With   this   she   turned   away  and  left  him  to  re-  ^' 


CiTARTPJ:    0\K.  163 

resume  his  jonrne}-.  Mad  Adams  did  not  lieai-  liiin 
go  by — at  least  tlie  publican  did  not  show  himself 
— and  with  his  heavy  cloak  wrapped  round  him 
the  officer  gave  himself  up  to  visions  of  happier 
days,  which  he  could  not  help  believing  Avould 
coine  sooner  or  later ;  and  neither  the  dismal  voices 
of  the  owls  lior  the  danger  of  perhaps  being  over- 
taken by  Adams,  prevented  this  night-ride  through 
the  forest  from  being  the  pleasantest  in  many  a 
year. 

Lydia,  on  her  part,  kept  thinking  of  him  as 
she  hastened  to^vards  the  north  end  of  the  settle- 
ment. "  I  love  Henry,"  she  said,  "  as  I  never 
could  love  Mr.  Wadsworth ;  and  yet  the  Cap- 
tain of  the  train-band  has  allmy  sympathy,  and 
I  will  uphold  with  my  feeble  power  the  cause 
he  so  dearly  cherishes.  Yes,  these  colonies  have 
been  long  enough  tied  to  England — the  hour  has 
come  for  them  to  govern  themselves."  As  she 
passed  the  widow's  cottage  she  thought  of  Nancy- 
and  breathed  a  prayer  for  the  poor  outcast.  "  Does 
Wadsw^orth,"  she  said  to  herself,  /'know how  much 
that  young  woman  loves  him?  From  the  way  he 
called  her  name  during  his  dehrium,  I'm  certain 
-there  was  a  time  when  he  loved  her.  What  se- 
cret reason  can  have  made  him  turn  against  my 
'friend  ?  I  hardly  believe  his  aunt  has  influenced 
him." 


164  ROMANCE   OP  THE 

Suddenly,  she  came  upon  Cliri.stian  standing  on 
the  edge  of  the  green,  evidently  waiting  for  her. 
The  girl's  first  impulse  was  to  scold  the  youth  for 
this  second  disobedience — but  a  moment's  reflec 
tion  convinced  her,  that  he  had  refrained  from 
going  home  through  fear  lest  some  mishap  miglit 
befall  her,  and  when  he  announced  that  Adams' 
sword  and  pistol  were  at  the  bottom  of  the  river,  she 
burst  into  a  hearty  laugh,  then  told  him  he  wouUl 
one  day  be  well  rewarded.  To  her  astonishment, 
the  Pequot  shook  his  head,  and  in  a  sad  voice 
murmured,  "  No,  Christain  never  get  his  reward." 
What  could  he  mean  ?  Little  did  she  dream  how 
this  untutored  savage  had  fallen  under  the  same  in- 
fluence which  had  captivated  Synnot  and  Wads- 
worth,  and  that  but  for  her  he  would  not  have  re- 
mained so  contentedly  serving  her  father  in  their 
home  up  the  Connecticut — "  Oli  yes,"  she  went  on, 
"you  shall  have  plenty  of  wampun  and  a  new 
blanket,  and  whatever  may  become  of  us,  you  shall 
be  taken  care  of.  I  have  friends  in  other  towns 
besides  Hartford." 

"  No,  Miss  Lydia,"  replied  the  youth,  "  when 
you  leave  me  I  go  on  the  war-path."  Here  he 
brandished  his  tomahawk  and  gave  a  loud  war- 
whoop. 

"  Hush  !  for  mercy  sake,  hush !"  exclaimed  the 
girl.     "  That's  a  fearful  sound  to  the  white  mau's 


CHARTER  OAK.  165 

ear.  'Tis  well  the  folks  are  asleep,  yet  the  guards 
may  hear  it."  He  did  not  repeat  the  cry,  but 
walked  beside  her  without  opeiMBg  his  lips  again, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  they  found  themselves  at 
Captain  Wadswoi*th's. 


CHAPTEE    XXXIV. 

It  is  a  lovely  Sabbath  afternoon  in  May,  and  since 
the  night  Lydia  had  thwarted  the  tavern-keeper's 
bloody  design,  two  weeks  have  elapsed — weeks  of 
sore  trial  for  the  girl.  Miss  Crabtree  had  unfor- 
tunately discovered  her  entering  the  house  with  the 
Pequot  after  Adams'  sword  and  pistol  had  been 
taken  from  him,  and  we  can  imagine  what  the  dame 
must  have  thought,  and  what  she  said  next  morn- 
ing when  the  household  met  in  the  large  first  story 
room.  Of  course  she  had  heard  of  Lydia's  inter- 
view, in  broad  daylight,  and  before  the  eyes  of  half 
the  town,  with  Andros'  bearer  of  despatches,  and 
liad  naturally  concluded  that  the  girl's  nocturnal 
expedition  had  had  something  to  do  with  the 
Biitish  officer.  The  result  had  been  a  violent 
quarrel  between  herself  and  Prudence,  who  through 
good  and  evil  report  stood  by  her  darling  Lydia— 
not  altogether  disbelieving  what  was   said  of  the 


166  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

girl— yet  remembering  bow  much  she  herself  was 
to  blame  for  the  unhapp}^  turn  which  affairs  were 
taking.     "  Yes, 'twas  all  my  fault,"    the   old  nurse 
would  sigh,  "  all  my  fault ;  why  did  I  let  him  kiss 
her  hand  that  night  we  were   entering  the   settle- 
ment ?     But  if  prayin'  '11  do  any  good  she'll  yet 
get  the  best  of  the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil — 
oh  Lord,  Lord,  have  mercy  on  her  !"     Then  again, 
Christian,  whom  Lydia  and  her  father  were  so  at- 
tached to,  had  been  warned  by  the  select-men  (who 
although  they  had  lost  faith  in  Wadsw^orth's  scheme 
of  rebellion,  nevertheless  dreaded  what  might  fol- 
low, should  the  savages  be  given  a  fresh  supply  of 
powder  and  ball,)  to  leave  Hartford,  Adams  having 
told  them  how  he  had  discovered  the  j^outh  coming 
out  of  Mr.  Clark's  house  where   no  doubt  he  had 
gone  to  receive  a  bribe  and  swear  fidelity  to  Sir. 
Edmund.     And  this  tell-tale  act  had  w^idened  the 
breach   between    Simon   and   Lydia,    who,    when- 
ever he  appeared  anxious  to  make  friend«,  would 
turn  on  him  an  expression  full  of  disdain  ;  then  sud- 
denly a  faint  smile  would  play  on  her  lips  as  she 
remembered   the   trick   which    she   and   Christian 
had  served  him   while  he  lay  asleep   among   the 
hazel  bushes.    And  this  smile  would  irritate  Adams 
beyond  measure,  for  he  shrewdly  suspected  that 
she  knew  more  about  his  lost  weapons  than  sho 
cared   to   divulge.     Moreover,  to  add  to   her  un- 


CHARTER   OAK.  167 

happiness  the  healfcli  of  Colonel  Goffe  had  grown 
worse — his  rheumatism  obliging  him  to  keep  abed — 
and  she  saw  that  she  must  continue  Avhere  she  was 
instead  of  seeking  a  place  of  refuge  with  the  widow 
Bull.  Yes,  had  the  regicide  been  able  to  move 
about,  Ljdia  would  certainly  have  left  Wadsworth's 
roof.  Not  that  her  feelings  towards  the  Captain 
had  changed  in  the  least,  no,  she  esteemed  him  as 
much  as  ever,  and  never  let  an  occasion  pass  to  tell 
the  people  what  fools  they  were  not  to  rally  round 
him  and  begin  a  struggle  for  independence.  But 
Wadsworth's  passion  for  her  had  become  more 
open  than  when  he  had  first  fallen  under  her  in- 
fluence ;  his  every  look  and  word,  gave  warning 
that  he  would  not  delay  much  longer  asking  her 
hand.  And  can  we  wonder  at  his  renewed  fervor  ? 
His  vow  was  not  any  more  an  obstacle  in  his  path — 
Increase  Mather,  in  whom  he  reposed  greater  faith 
than  in  any  other  human  being,  had  called  it  an  in- 
spiration of  the  devil — while  her  devotion  to  him 
during  his  illness,  he  looked  upon  as  proof  that  she 
returned  his  love.  He  believed  what  Adams  had 
told  him  about  her  interview  with  Henry  Synnot. 
He  likewise  believed  that  the  bagpipe-player  at  the 
husking  had  been  the  same  officer  in  disguise,  but 
this  had  not  for  a  moment  shaken  his  faith  in  her 
patriotism.  "  For  secret  reasons,''  he  would  say  to 
himself^  "  she  has   held   communication  Avith  this 


168  ROMANCE   OP   THE 

bearer  of  despatches  ;  majliap  slie  is  making  use 
of  him  to  obtain  news  of  the  doings  in  Boston,  and 
her  bewitching  face  is  well  calculated  to  throAV  the 
stranger  off  his  guard.  Did  she  not  fly  to  me  as 
soon  as  she  heard  that  her  father's  retreat  was  dis- 
covered? Did  she  not  tell  me  she  never  could  be 
grateful  enough  for  my  hospitality  to  the  old 
soldier  ?  No,  no,  xVdams  is  a  wily  fellow,  but  he 
has  not  yet  fathomed  the  heart  of  Lydia  Goffe. 
Why  should  she  not  be  my  wife  ?  I  can  forgive  all 
she  said  about  stocks  and  whipping-posts  ;  yes,  her 
enthusiasm  for  independence  makes  me  forget  all 
that ;  would  to  God  my  train-band  had  her  spirit." 
Such  were  the  thoughts  which  passed  through 
Wadsworth's  mind  as,  leaning  on  her  arm,  he  went 
his  way  to  meeting  this  Sabbath  afternoon.  The 
girl  herself  remained  silent,  and  to  the  wondering 
glances  which  many  of  the  tow^nfolks  cast  on 
her,  she  returned  a  look  of  haughty  contempt. 
Israel  Barebones  whispered  to  Mr.  Philbrick  that 
she  was  the  hardest  nut  he  had  ever  had  to  crack. 
*'  Here  she  has  been  nigh  three  months  in  Hart- 
ford, and  only  once  has  she  been  to  meeting ;  she 
ought  to  be  punished.  But  although  the  new  tith- 
ing-man  has  made  a  complaint,  somehow  folks  ain't 
willing  to  treat  her  as  they  would  other  sabbath 
breakers." 

"Aye,"    rejoined   Mr.    Philbrick,    "'tis    Wads- 


CHAKTllR    OAK.  l69 

worth's  influence  shields  her.  Strange  to  see  such 
a  godlj  man  in  her  company.  Alas  !  I  fear  Cap- 
tain Joe  has  allowed  her  uncommon  beauty  to  mas- 
ter his  good  sense." 

"  'Tis  an  old  story,"  pursued  the  ruUng  elder,  roil- 
ing his  cadaverous  eyes  towards  the  sky.  "  Women 
give  more  trouble  in  this  world  than  they're  worth. 
True,  they  show  great  fervor  at  meeting  and  do 
most  of  the  psalm  signing,  but  it  aint  genuine  piety ; 
and  I  sometimes  think,  when  I  hear  'em  schreech- 
ing  out  'praise  the  Lord,'  that  it's  only  one  of 
Beelzebub's  noisy  spirits  has  got  into  'em.  Alas, 
alas!" 

"  And  it  was  this  girl,"  resumed  Mr.  Philbrick, 
*•  who  set  us  dancing  and  made  us  commit  other 
sinful  acts,  at  Capt.  Joe's  party." 

"  Speak  not  of  that  unhallowed  gathering," 
groaned  Mr.  Barebones ;  "  to  this  day  am  I  doing 
penance  for  the  sins  I  committed  on  that  occasion, 
and  'twill  require  much  fasting,  much  walking  in 
my  bare  feet,  to  atone  for  them." 

At  this,  Torn  Hubbard,  who  w^as  standing  close 
by,  gave  Dorothy  a  pinch  and  felt  tempted  to  utter 
one  of  his  cat-calls  ;  but  his  father's  presence  warn- 
ed him  that  he  had  better  hold  his  tongue.  By 
this  time  "Wadsworth  and  Lydia  had  reached  the 
green,  and  without  speaking  to  any  body  were  ad- 


170  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

vancing  towards  the  entrance  of  the  meetmg-house, 
when  suddenly  a  figure  approached  them  from  be- 
hind : 

"  I  rejoice,"  whispered  Nancy  to  her  friend,  "  to 
see  you  coming  here.     Yes,  it  fills  my  soul  with 

joy." 

Lydia  stopped  for  a  moment,  gazed  fixedly  at 
the  speaker,  then  shook  her  head,  while  Wads- 
worth  felt  his  conscience  reproach  him,  and  did  not 
eyen  have  the  courage  to  raise  his  eyes  on  Nancy. 
Before  he  could  recover  from  his  embarrassment, 
Lydia  had  left  him,  and  accompanied  by  her  friend, 
was  making  her  way  back  to  the  road. 

"How  like  my  aunt's  dream,"  he  said,  gazing 
after  them.     "  How  like  my  aunt's  dream." 

Prayers  had  already  begun  when  Nancy  appear- 
ed among  the  worshipers,  and  as  she  took  her  place 
in  front  of  Miss  Crabtree,  the  captain  of  the  train- 
band felt  that  he  must  have  wronged  the  young 
wompn  to  have  suspected,  even  for  an  instant, 
that  she  would  have  dissuaded  Lydia  from  entering 
the  House  of  God. 

"  Oh,  what  a  slave  I  have  become  !"  he  groaned. 
"  I  cannot  break  my  bonds — I  am  carried  away  by 
an  irresistible  power.  No,  I  cannot  do  what  Dr. 
.Mather  advised  ;  I  will  brave  the  sting  of  con- 
science, though  'tis  an  agony  of  hell — Lydia  Goffo 


CHAETEB  OAK.  171 

shall  not  escape  me.  Oh,  Nancy — lieavenborn  crea- 
ture, I  am  a  worm  not  worthy  to  be  trodden  under 
thy  blessed  feet." 

Presently  the  clergyman  began  a  fiery  discourse 
on  the  Sin  of  Lying,  and  every  member  of  the  con- 
gregation lent  an   attentive  ear,  save  him  whose 
head  was  now  bowed  on  his  breast.     Wadsworth 
heard  not  a  word — never  had  his  soul  been  so  rack- 
ed as  during  this  hour  of  preaching.     At  length 
the  exhortation   came  to  an  end,  and  the  people 
slowly  dispersed,  not  a  few — especially  the  women 
— showing  by  their  countenances   that   they  had 
told  a  good  many  fibs  in  their  lives  and  that  the 
minister's  words  had  filled  them  with  terror.     But 
Miss  Crabtree's  face  was  the  palest  of  all,  and  for 
the  first  time  in  a  week  she  deigned  to  address 
Goody  Garlic,  requesting  the  latter  to  pray  for  her. 
A.t  once,  Prudence  felt  all  her  old  aftectiori  for  Cha- 
rity return — the  latter  had  been  the  first  to  speak, 
and  now  as  they  walked  home,  although  the  goodwife 
did  not  ask  what  particular  lie  pressed  so  heavily 
on  the  conscience  of  her  friend,  she  spoke  with  all 
the  eloquence  at  her  command  of  the  Lord's  mercy 
to  sinners.     Miss  Crabtree  drew  a  long  breath  as 
the  dame  pursued  this  happy  theme,  and  we  be- 
lieve that  had  she  met  Nancy  on  the  road  she 
would  have  confessed  the  wrong  she  had  done  lier 
and  craven  forgiveness. 

-  *^' 


172  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

When  Wadsworth,  who  had  Hngered  awhile  be- 
hind his  aunt,  finally  left  the  house  of  prayer,  the 
first  object  which  met  his  eye  was  Lydia,  waiting 
for  him  on  the  edge  of  the  green.  Again,  heedless 
of  the  staring  crowd,  the  girl  boldly  advanced  and 
offered  him  her  arm  for  support,  and  as  he  took  it 
the  Captain's  brow  crimsoned — he  felt  his  heart 
throb.  But  they  had  gone  almost  half  way  home 
before  he  found  courage  to  open  his  lips ;  he  then 
asked  why  she  had  not  entered  the  meeting-house 
with  him. 

"Nancy  urged  me  to,"  replied  Lydia,  "and  if  I 
would  have  done  it  to  please  any  mortal,  it  would 
have  been  to  please  her.  But  you  know,  sir,  I  de- 
test the  harsh  doctrines  of  your  religion,  and  the 
sermon  I  heard  when  I  first  arrived  in  Hartford 
displeased  me  so  much  that  I  never  wish  to  hear 
another." 

Again  they  were  silent,  and  Wadsworth,  as  his 
arm  rested  on  hers,  felt  the  thrill  of  passion  run 
through  his  whole  frame.  "  Why  not  tell  her  what 
I  feel,"  he  said  to  himself  ;  "  the  worst  she  can  do 
is  to  refuse  me  ;  yes,  I  will  confess  my  love  !  Fool 
that  I  am  to  hesitate — precious  days  and  weeks 
are  passing  by." 

While  he  was  thus  soliloquizing,  the  same  figure 
which  had  approached  them  when  they  had  been 
near  the  meeting-house,  again  glided  up.     Nancy 


CHARTER   OAK.  173 

could  not  resist  tlie  strong  desire  she  felt  to  con- 
gratulate Wadsworth  on  his  recovery.  He  knew 
her  step,  and  presently  the  same  gentle  voice  which 
had  once  inspired  him  with  the  tenderest  of  all 
earthly  emotions,  broke  on  his  ear.  "  She  has 
come  to  save  me,"  he  murmured,  "  to  save  me  ; 
but  it  is  too  late."  Then  turning,  he  gave  the 
young  woman  a  look  which  startled  her,  and  hiding 
her  face  in  her  hands  she  let  him  go  his  way. 

"  Come,  come.  Miss  Goffe,"  he  whispered,  "  I 
do  not  wish  to  stop  and  talk  with  Miss  Clark — I 
hate  her !" 

"Hate  her!"  said  Lydia.  "No,  Wadsworth, 
you  do  not — 'twas  the  devil  made  you  say  that." 

Here  the  Captain's  arm  shook,  and  glancing  at 
his  face  the  girl  saw  that  it  was  fearfully  con- 
vulsed. "  I  am  doomed,"  he  groaned  ;  "  aye,  I  see 
hell  waiting  for  me." 

"  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  pursued  Lydia,  "  what  trou- 
bles you  ?  You  appear  to  dread  Nancy  Clark— oh, 
if  you  had  heard  how  she  prayed  for  your  recovery !" 

"  And  God  heard  her  prayer,"  said  the  Captain, 
with  bitterness.     "  Why  did  He  not  let  me  die  ?" 

"  Because  He  means  through  you  to  accomplish 
a  glorious  work.  Yes,  he  spared  you  to  lead  these 
colonies  to  independence." 

Here  Wadsworth  gave  a  demoniac  laugh,  which 
made  Lydia  shudder.     There  was  in  it  such  a  blend- 


174  R' "MANGE   OF   THE 

ing  of  rage  and  despair.  What  had  Nancy  done 
to  wring  from  him  such  a  cry  ?  At  this  moment 
and  while  they  were  hastening  towards  his  house — 
the  girl  half  afraid  lest  her  companion  might  go 
mad  before  reaching  it — " '  iles  Standish  trotted  up. 
*'  Begone,"  exclaimed  Wadsworth,  "  begone,  I  tell 
you !"  But  the  dog,  without  wagging  its  tail  or 
showing  the  least  sign  that  it  heard  its  master's 
voice,  passed  ahead  of  them  ;  then  after  it  had 
gone  a  short  distance  turned  and  fixed  its  solemn 
eyes  on  Wadsworth ;  nor  did  it  withdraw  its  gaze 
when  the  Captain,  coming  up,  gave  it  a  push  with 
his  foot — no,  it  kept  looking  at  him,  looking  at  him, 
until  he  disappeard  from  view. 

"You  once  declared  your  belief,"  said  Lydia, 
"  that  Miles  had  a  soul.     Well,  I  believe  so  too." 

Her  host  made  no  response,  but  walked  on  in  si- 
lence until  they  came  to  his  home.  Here  he  drew 
a  long  breath,  while  a  sad  smile  j)layed  on  his  coun- 
tenance, and  as  he  raised  the  latch,  "  I  almost 
wish,"  he  said,  "I  might  never  leave  the  house 
again.  Yes,  I  could  seat  myself  in  that  ancient 
chair  where  father  and  grandfather  breathed  their 
last,  and  never  rise  from  it.  Oh  death,  welcome 
friend,  come  to  me!" 


CHARTER   OAK.  175 

CHAPTEK  XXXV. 

May  passed  by  witliout  Henrj  Svniiot  coming 
again  to  Hartford;  while  Christian,  who,  as  we  re- 
member, had  been  ordered  to  leave  the  settlement, 
was  now  wandering  somewhere  in  the  forest.  But 
whenever  Lydia  would  mention  his  name,  Mad 
Adams,  who  spent  a  part  of  every  evening  at 
Wadsworth's,  would  give  her  an  angry  glance  and 
say  that  the  Pequot  was  earning  a  living  in  a  worse 
way  than  shooting  deer  or  spearing  salmon.  The 
quarrel  between  Miss  Crab  tree  and  Prudence 
having  been  made  up,  the  dames  were  now  greatei 
friends  than  before,  the  mistress  of  the  house  wise- 
ly refraining  from  saying  anything  suspicious  about 
Lydia— although  the  girl's  interview  with  Captain 
Synnot  was  still  a  sore  point  with  her — and  Goody 
Garlic,  often  discoursing  on  the  mercy  of  God  to 
sinners,  and  declaring  her  belief  that  the  falsehood 
which  had  pressed  so  heavily  upon  her  friend's 
conscience  since  the  sermon  mentioned  in  the  pre- 
vious chapter,  was  forgiven.  " 'Twould  be  well, 
however,"  Prudence  would  add,  "  in  case  'twas 
something  untrue  spoken  of  a  neighbor,  to  ask  that 
neighbor's  pardon."  Whereat  Charit}^,  groaning  in 
spirit,  would  abruptly  turn  away  and  betake  her- 
self to  her  oven,  muttering,  "  I  wish  I  could  ;  but 
no,  my  pride  won't  let  me  ;  I  cannot  bow  down  to 
her."     Yet,  of  late  she  had  not  uttered  an  unchar-^ 


176  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

itable  word  of  Nancy,  nor  did  she  frown  when 
Ljdia  wonld  come  home  and  tell  them  that  she 
had  been  paying  Mr.  Clark's  daughter  a  visit. 
This  renewed  cordiality  between  the  old  maids  ren- 
dered the  girl  somewhat  more  resigned  to  continu- 
ing under  Wadsworth's  roof.  Indeed,  as  we  have 
already  remarked,  it  would  have  been  impossible 
for  her  to  have  gone  away,  as  her  father  \>  as  suffer- 
ing more  than  ever  from  rheumatism,  "  and  my 
host "  she  would  say  to  herself,  "  albeit  he  has 
seemed  on  the  very  point  of  doing  it,  has  not  yet 
asked  me  to  be  his  wife  ;  so  until  he  does  and  1 
refuse,  there  can  be  no  impropriety  in  remaining 
here." 

Wadsworth,  since  the  sabbath  when  he  had  gone 
to  meeting  leaning  on  her  arm,  had  kept  himself 
under  unusual  restraint,  and  would  now  hardly  lift 
his  eyes  when  his  young  guest  approached.  The 
cau.se  of  this  sudden  and  remarkable  change  was 
a  letter  which  he  had  received  from  Increase  Ma- 
ther, wherein  the  divine  had  s|X)ken  of  the  deep 
impression  which  the  story  of  his  vow  had  pro- 
duced on  him,  and  had  again  declared  that  it 
had  been  inspired  by  the  devil.  In  conclusion  the 
minister  had  urged  him  to  marry  Nancy  Clark,  as 
being  the  only  course  he  could  pursue  w^ith  the 
blessing  of  God.  The  Captain  had  torn  the  letter 
up,  but  he  would  often  ponder  over  the  great  man's 
advice,  and  once  when  the  regicide's  daughter  en- 


CllABTEn   OAK.  177 

tered  the  library  for  a  book,  she  found  Miles  Stan- 
dish  with  his  head  resting  on  his  master's  knee, 
and  for  the  first  time  since  she  had  known  Wads- 
worth,  his  eyes  were  moistened  with  tears.  Better 
for  him  had  she  not  placed  her  hand  on  his  arn 
and  asked  the  cause  of  his  trouble.  Her  touch 
went  through  his  whole  frame ;  he  ground  his  teeth, 
and  while  she  stood  bending  over  him,  instead  of 
waving  her  away,  he  feasted  his  eyes  on  her  beauty. 
True,  he  did  not  speak  a  word,  but  when  Lydia 
left  the  room  he  had  again  fallen.  So  things 
went  on  quietly  and  monotonously.  It  was  June, 
and  the  stufTed  figure  which  Tom  Hubbard  had  set 
up  in  his  fa  ther's  field  was  doing  good  service,  keep- 
ing away  Mie  birds,  and  now  the  corn  had  reached 
such  a  hr/ght  that  only  the  battered  hat  of  the  scare- 
crow w?.s  visible  above  the  green  stalks.  The  barley 
and  rye  as  well  as  the  corn  promised  to  be  abundant, 
and  the  people  of  Hartford  were  in  excellent 
spirits,  while  Israel  Barebones  seized  every  oppor- 
tunity to  impress  upon  them  that  this  bountiful 
yield  was  all  owing  to  their  having  abandoned 
Wadsworth's  wild  scheme  for  a  revolution,  and 
turned  their  thoughts  to  cultivating  the  soil  and 
practising  their  religion.  Sometimes  Adams,  when 
he  would  hear  him  talking  in  this  strain  would 
mutter  an  oath,  but  remembering  the  influence  of 
the  ruling  elder,  who  could  easily  have  had  himde* 


17S  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

prived  of  his  li'^ense  to  keep  tlie  Ordinary,  lie  ii-ever 
ventured  further  in  manifesting  bis  contempt. 
Once,  however,  he  did  make  bold  to  ask  Liin  what 
he  advised  the  people  to  do  in  case  Andros  came 
to  seize  the  charter.  Mr.  Barebones,  before  an- 
swering, took  a  careful  survey  of  the  men  standing 
near,  then  as  if  he  had  read  their  hearts,  replied  : 

"  We  will  let  him  have  the  parchment ;  it  is  not 
worth  th^;|)i;ice  of  blood.  Our  right  to  levy  taxes 
and  hold  town-meetings  is  already  abolished ;  Gov- 
ernor Treat  is  powerless ;  we  could  not  prevail 
against  Sir  Edmund,  with  England's  army  and  fleet 
to  back  him.  I  repeat,  Vr.  Adams,  (and  he  strong- 
ly emphasized  the  word  Mr.)  the  Lord  will  deal  us 
justice  in  his  own  good  time  ;  and  the  less  Ave  talk 
of  opposing  his  Excellency  the  better.  King  Phil- 
ip's war  has  left  wounds  still  unhealed,  yet  that 
struggle  would  be  nothing  compared  to  the  misery 
which  would  inevitably  follow  one  such  as  Joseph 
Wadsworth  desires  to  bring  on." 

We  cannot  describe  the  publican's  feelings  as  he 
listened  to  this  speech,  and  it  would  have  taken 
but  very  little  indeed  to  have  made  hiul  insult  the 
goodman.  Fortunately,  his  shrewdness  overcame 
Jiis  anger  ;  he  remembered  that  he  could  be  of 
more  service  to  Wadsworth  as  keeper  of  the  Or- 
dinary than  in  any  otlijBr  capacity-— for  it  was  there 
the  people  assembled  in  the  evenings  to  discuss 


CHARTER   OAK.  1I79L 

the  topics  of  the  day,  thus  affordiog  him  the  best: 
opportunity   to  learn  their  real  temper;  so  rather 
than   forfeit    his   license,    he    withdrew   from   the  ^ 
group  and  did  not  again  interrupt   the    speaker, 
who  continued  to  harangue  the  people  on.  the  sub- 
ject of  religion,  urging  them  to  renewed  fervor  and 
I J  trust  in  the  Almighty,  not  in  Joseph  Wadswortb, 
for   a  redress  of  their  grievances.     It  was   wdiile 
Adams  was  sauntering  towards  the  house  of  his 
chief  to  whom  he  meant  to  repeat  the  remarks  w^hicb 
he  had  just  heard  Mr.  Barebones  make,  that  Lydia 
overtook  him,  and  for  the  first  time  in  weeks  laid  , 
aside  her  distant   manner,   and  in  a  voice  full  of . 
emotion,  said,  "  oh,  Adams,  tell  me  who  amongst  . 
tlie  towufolks  is  the  most  skilled  in  the  healing  art.  . 
I  have  just  left  Jacob  Japheth's,  where  Nancy  and 
I  have  been  siuce  early  morning  —  the  poor  fellow, 
is  growing  worse  and  worse  ;  but  'tis  only  now  he.: 
believes  himself  seriously  ill,  and  is  willing  to  have 
me  get  a  physician." 

^'  Jacob  Japheth  ill !"  exclaimed  Simon.     "  Why, 
it's  not  five  days  since  he  was  up  and  about, as  well 
i.-slam  at  this  moment.     It  must  be  something  ^ 
budden  and  violent  ?" 

"  Yes,  a  severe  cold  has  fastened  on  his  lungs — • 
at  least  that  I  should  judge  to  be  his  ailment..    Do  . 
let  me  know,  where  to  find  a  doctor."  \ 

The  tavern- keeper  stood  musing  .  a    moment^  i 


180  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

frowned — muttered  sometliing  which  Lydia  did  not 
understand,  then,  with  a  shrug  of  his  shoulder,  re- 
plied, "  well,  Israel  Barebones  is  the  one  in  whom 
most  people  trust,  to  restore  them  to  health.  But 
— humph  ! — I  dare  say  'twas  why  poor  Jacob 
wouldn't  send  for  him.  The  ruling  elder  was  the 
cause  of  his  losing  the  office  of  tithing-man — and, 
Miss  Lydia,  you  had  something  to  do  with  that." 

"  I !  what  do  you  mean,  Adams?" 

"  I  mean  that  Avhen  Jacob  found  you  were  deter- 
mined to  continue  a  sabbath-breaker,  he  made  up 
his  mind  to  resign  ;  but  before  he  did — he  was 
turned  out.  As  a  consequence,  the  narrow-minded 
people  have  given  him  no  more  shoes  to  mend,  he 
has  been  hard  pushed  to  feed  his  wife  and  children, 
and  anxiety  has  doubtless  brought  on  this  ilhiess. 
Oh,  what  a  fool  I  was  not  to  drop  in  and  ask  if  he 
needed  anything." 

"  Yes  !  so  was  I,"  exclaimed  Lydia. 

"  No,  Miss,  you  suffered  enough  watching  at  the 
bedside  of  Captain  Joe,  and  could  not  have  been 
expected  to  go  visiting  the  needy  ones  so  soon. 
Oh,  Miss  Lydia,  if  you  only  knew  how  Captain 
Joe ." 

Divining  what  he  was  about  to  say,  she  abruptly 
turned  and  hastened  off  in  search  of  Mr.  Bare- 
bones,  whose  skill  she  hoped  might  restore  the  cob- 
bler to   health.     She  found  him  still   haranguing 


CHARTER  OAK.  181 

the  group,  as  when  Adams  had  left  him  a  short 
while  before,  but  she  was  too  intent  on  her  errand 
to  heed  what  he  was  saying  ;  she  noticed,  however 
Mr.  Clark  standing  near,  listening  with  evident  de- 
light, and  fancied  that  she  saw  his  eyes  twinkle  as 
she  approached,  for  Nancy's  father  knew  that  she 
did  not  agree  with  the  speaker,  and  aware  of  hei 
bold  spirit,  hoped  that  he  was  going  to  witness 
a  controversy  between  herself  and  the  ruling  elder. 
In  this,  however,  he  was  disappointed;  Lydia 
merely  tapped  the  goodman  on  the  arm,  then 
having  made  him  a  sign,  he  followed  her  out  of  the 
crowd. 

"  I  have  come,"  she  said,  "  to  take  3'ou  to  my 
friend,  Jacob  Japheth,  who  lies  at  this  moment  very 
ill  indeed  ;  I  hear  you  are  skilled  in  medicine." 

"  Aye,"  responded  Mr.  Barebones,  "  I  have 
healed  many  who  were  at  death's  door  ;  at  least  so 
the  people  believe  ;  but  it  is  an  ungodly  spirit  which 
prompts  them  to  think  thus.  The  Almighty,  Miss, 
the  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth  —He  cured  them, 
j'.nd  net  Israel  Barebones,  who  only  administered 
remedies  according  to  the  world,  but  whose  prayers 
did  the  good  work.  Aye,  Miss,  there  is  a  mighty 
power  in  pra3'er." 

While  he  aa  as  giving  utterance  to  these  words, 
Ljdia  felt  tempted  to  upbraid  him  for  the  manner 
m  which  he  had  treated  Mr.  Japheth  ;  but  upon 


182  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

reflection,  she  thought  best  not  to  speak  of  it  jusi 
then  ;  so,  she  merely  asked  how  soon  he  wonkl  go 
to  the  cobbler's  house. 

"  At  once,  Miss,  at  once  ;  and  do  you  come  with 
me.  I  have  not  seen  you  at  meeting  these  ten 
weeks,  perhaps  you  will  join  me  in  praying  for  his 
recovery  ;  and  while  on  your  knees,  the  Lord  ma}' 
inspire  3^ou  to  become  a  better  woman  and  to  own 
the  Covenant." 

Without  making  any  answer,  she  led  him  away 
from  the  group  of  men,  all  of  whom  regarded  he:^ 
as  a  very  strange  being — one  who  had  appeared 
amongst  them  suddenly,  coming  they  could  not 
tell  from  whence,  who  had  made  the  Captain  of 
the  train-band  bow  to  her  influence,  "  and  who 
now,"  they  said,  "is  persuading  even  Israel  Bare 
bones  to  do  her  bidding." 

In  a  few  minutes  Lydia  and  the  ruling  elder  were 
at  the  cobbler's  house,  and  as  the  door  opened,  the 
goodman  was  much  struck  by  the  appearance  of 
the  little  boy,  who  greeted  them.  Yes,  Tommv 
looked  a  great  deal  older  than  when  he  had  seen 
him  last.  But  no  wonder ;  the  poor  child  had  done 
everything  which  had  to  be  done  during  the  past 
week  for  his  father  and  mother.  He  had  chopped 
the  wood,  kindled  the  fire,  gone  to  the  well  for 
water,  weeded  the  garden;  arranged  everyd<iy  hi>s 
mother's  bed,  so  as  to  make  her  as  comfortable  as 


CHARTER   OAK.  l83 

possible,  (poor  soul !  the  wliole  world  for  lier,  was 
ouly  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  mattress),  and 
then  at  night  had  sat  up  listemng  to  his  father's 
delirious  wanderings  as  he  tossed  about  on  a  blan- 
ket near  Mrs.  Japheth.  And  besides  all  this, 
Tommy  had  not  forgotten  Bob  the  Robin,  who 
had  received  his  regular  supply  of  food,  and  who 
now,  as  Lydia  entered,  gave  a  loud  whistle,  hopped 
down  from  the  perch,  spread  out  his  wings,  then 
hopped  up  again,  evidently  in  the  greatest  delight. 
1  he  rulmg  elder,  after  shaking  Tommy's  hand,  ap- 
proached Mr.  Japheth,  and  bending  down  felt  his 
pulse,  then  began  asking  different  questions  of  the 
boy,  who  was  whetting  a  cloth  to  spread  over  his 
father's  forehead.  Leaving  him  thus  engaged, 
Lydia  betook  herself  to  the  bedside  of  the  wife, 
whom  Nancy  was  endeavoring  to  console,  and  add- 
ing her  voice  to  that  of  her  friend,  she  assured  the 
invalid  that  her  husband  would  soon  be  restoied 
to  health,  by  the  good  man  whom  she  had  brought 
with  her. 

At  the  mention  of  Mr.  Barebones'  name,  Mrs. 
Japheth  frowned.  *'  It  may  be  wrong.  Miss,"  she 
murmured,  "  but  I  cannot  help  it — I  hate  him  ! 
'Twas  he  set  the  folks  against  my  Jacob  'cause  he 
wouldn't  carry  out  the  law,  and  told  'em  to  give 
him  no  more  work,  and  so  Jacob's  brain  got 
racked   with    anxiety;   and   the   first    illness    has 


1§4  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

knocked  liim  flat.  Something  tells  me  he'll  never 
get  up  again  from  the  blanket.  Oh,  Israel  Bare- 
bones,  how  I  hate  you  !" 

All  this  was  spoken  in  a  low  voice,  but  we  doubt 
if  Mrs.  Japheth  would  have  been  so  modest  in  her 
tone  had  not  Nancy  given  her  an  imploring  look. 
Presently,  there  was  a  rap  on  the  door,  and  Tommy 
admitted  four  other  people— Captain  Wadsworth, 
Adams,  Miss  Crabtree  and  Prudence  Garlic — the 
women  carrying  on  each  arm  a  basket  of  good 
things,  while  Charity,  in  addition,  brought  a  book 
of  psalms.  Not  that  she  doubted  but  Mr.  Japh- 
eth posessed  one  ;  but  she  never  could  feel  insj^ired 
— she  never  could  raise  her  voice  to  what  she  called 
the  *  pitch  of  glory/  unless  she  used  her  own  well- 
fingered  volume. 

It  was  a  good  while  since  the  dame  bad  found 
herself  in  the  cobbler's  home,  and  now  as  her  keen 
grey  eyes  surveyed  this  wretched  apartment  her 
face  brightened.  "Aye,"  she  said  to  herself,  "Mr. 
Japheth  did  not  carry  out  the  law ;  through  his 
neglect  souls  have  been  damned.  He  was  a  bad 
tithing-man,  poverty  overtook  him  and  now  death  is 
approaching."  Then  fixing  her  glance  on  the  sick 
man's  countenance,  "aye,"  she  continued,  "  there's 
no  mistaking  that  look  ;  it's  peculiar  to  death. 
Our  ruling  elder  may  do  his  best — nothing  will  re- 
store Mr.  Japheth  to  his  work  bench — no,  nothing 


CHARTER   OAK.  185 

but  the  power  Nvhicli  raised  Lazarus.  Yet  who 
knows  a  mh-acle  may  be  wrought.  I'd  hke  to  see 
one,  I've  read  of  so  many.  Oh,  what  a  thing  it 
would  be  to  tell  Mrs.  Philbrick  that  I'd  seen  a 
^  miracle." 

I  While  she  was  thus  soliloquizing,  Mr.  Barebones 
had  kept  feeling  the  pulse,  and  ha^dng  satisfied 
himself  about  the  malady  gave  Mr.  Japheth  a  long 
and  searching  look — he  was  mentally  bidding  him 
good-by — then  stretching  out  one  of  his  cadaver- 
ous hands  he  drew  towards  him  the  cobbler's  son, 
and  after  whispering  something  in  the  boy's  ear 
pressed  him  to  his  breast.  For  a  few  moments  the 
ruling  elder  was  visibly  affected.  Stern  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  dut}^,  he  yet  was  far  from  having  a 
flinty  heart,  and  when  once  the  sinner  had  met  his 
deserts  he  never  bore  him  any  ill-will.  "  Aye,"  he 
said  to  himself,  "  I  will  feed  and  clothe  the  orphans 
and  widow,  and  take  as  far  as  I  am  able  the  place 
of  poor  Jacob.  Lord,  Thy  will  be  done."  Then 
having  made  Lydia  and  the  others  a  sign  to  kneel, 
he  bowed  his  head  a  moment  before  beginning  the 
prayer.  The  silence  of  the  room  was  only  broken 
by  the  heavy  breathing  of  Mr.  Japheth,  and  the 
robin  hopping  about  on  its  perch.  Nancy  had 
thrown  herself  near  Mrs.  Japheth  ;  on  her  left  was 
Lydia,  while  Wads  worth,  Adams,  Prudence  and 
Charity,   formed   a   semi-circle    about    the   dying 


186  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

man's  feet.  At  length  Mr.  Barebones  raised  bis 
head,  and  rolhiig  up  his  e^-es  so  far  that  you  might 
have  thought  they  were  going  to  turn  completely 
round  in  the  sockets,  began  to  implore  the  mercy 
of  God  on  the  cobbler.  He  had  hardly  opened  his 
lips  when  Tommy  burst  into  tears,  while  his  Httle 
sister,  who  till  now  had  looked  on  from  a  corner  at 
the  strange  scene,  approached,  and  throwing  her 
arms  around  her  brother's  neck  began  also  to  cry 
And  thus  accomj^anied  by  their  sobs  the  ruling  el- 
der went  on  imploring  forgiveness  for  Mr.  Japheth  s 
sins,  and  so  earnest  and  full  of  pathos  were  his 
words,  that  Lydia  overcame  her  dislike  for  him, 
and  felt  that  he  was  a  better  man  than  she  had 
supposed.  But  suddenly  their  devotions  were  in- 
terrupted by  Mrs.  Japheth,  who,  lifting  up  one  ol 
her  shrivelled  arms — which  looked  very  like  a  bone 
covered  with  old  parchment — did  what  nobody  had 
seen  her  do  in  seven  years,  sat  up  in  bed.  At  once, 
Lydia  sprang  to  her  feet ;  she  beheved  the  woman 
herself  might  be  in  her  agony,  so  strangely  con- 
vulsed were  her  features;  her  hollow  eyes  were 
fixed  on  the  ruling  elder  with  a  gleam  of  fury  ;  her 
sunken  cheeks,  dried  like  her  arm,  were  for  a  mo- 
ment flushed. 

"  Away  with  you.  Israel  Barebones,"  she  shriek- 
ed. "  Away  !  your  prayers  are  a  mockery  !  You, 
calling  on  the  Almighty  to  forgive  my  poor,  dying 


CHARTER   OAK.  187 

husband  his  sins !  you,  whose  narrow,  persecuting 
spirit  drove  him  from  the  office  of  tithing-man,  and 
then  persuaded  the  folks  to  give  him  no  more  work 
You,  asking  God  to  pardon  him !  I  say  begone, 
ftnd  my  curse  follow  you."  Here,  exhausted  by  her 
effort,  she  sank  back  on  the  pillow,  while  Lydia 
and  Nancy  looked  at  each  other  perfectly  awe 
stricken;  Wadsworth  was  shocked  as  he  had 
never  been  before  ;  the  little  boy  ceased  cry- 
ing, and  as  if  raised  to  madness  by  what  he  had 
heard,  clenched  his  fists,  and  we  believe  would  have 
rushed  on  Mr.  Barebones  had  not  his  sister,  whose 
arms  were  still  about  his  neck,  held  him  back.  Nor 
was  the  ruling  elder  himself  less  affected  than  the 
rest.  His  self  control,  however,  was. so  perfect  that 
there  was  nothing  on  his  countenance  to  indicate 
that  any  thing  unusual  had  happened,  and  having 
cast  a  glance  of  pity  at  the  woman,  he  was  about 
to  continue  his  prayer  when  she  again  interrupted 
him. 

"  If  you  will  not  begone,"  she  said,  "  stay,  but  let 
another  more  worthy  address  the  Lord  of  Hosts." 
Then  pointing  her  finger  at  Nancy  Clark  :  "  Do  you 
pray,  do  you  pray ;  if  the  Lord  hears  any  one  He 
will  hear  you." 

"  Amen !"  returned  Mr.  Barebones.  "  Let  the 
young  woman  raise  a  supplication  to  the  throne  of 


188  ItOMANCE    OF   THE 

grace  ;  but  she  must  be  quick     the  breathing   is 
getting  shorter— there  is  not  a  moment  to  lose." 

Nancy  at  once  hastened  to  where  the  cobbler 
was  lying,  and  throwing  herself  on  her  knees,  be 
gan  the  following  prayer  in  a  voice  low  and  sweet, 
and  which  made  Wads  worth  bury  his  face  in  his 
hands  —it  awakened  such  memories  ! 

"  Almighty  God  and  Heavenly  Father,  be  pleas- 
ed to  be  with  us  at  this  solemn  hour ;  be  with  Thy 
servant,  Jacob  Japheth,  who  is  so  soon  to  be  laid 
in  the  consuming  grave.  Merciful  God,  be  with 
him  in  these  his  last  moments  to  uphold  and  sup- 
port him.  Put  underneath  him  thine  everlasting 
arms  of  mercy.  Support  him  by  Thy  free,  rich 
grace,  and  receive  his  parting  spirit  to  Thy  blissful 
presence.  Be  Thou  with  his  dear  and  mourning- 
wife  in  her  great  trials,  and  support  her  by  Thy 
Holy  Spirit.  Mayest  thou  sanctify  his  death  to  his 
dear  children  for  their  spiritual  and  lasting  good  ; 
and  may  his  death  be  sanctified  to  his  beloved 
church  and  people  wlien  he  is  laid  in  the  dust. 
Unite  them  in  one  heart  and  one  mind  to  serve 
the  lidng  and  true  God.  May  they  be  united  in 
harmony  and  peace.  Bless  the  whole  Israel  of 
God;  anel  have  compassion  on  the  immoital  souls 
Thou  hast  made  ;  through  the  merits  of  Thy  dear 
Bon,  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  and  to  Him  with  the 
Father  and  Eternal  Spirit  be  everlasting  praises, 


CHARTEJI   OAK.  189 

amen  !"  Just  as  slie  had  fiiiislied  tlie  prayer  there 
was  a  scratcli  at  the  door ;  but  nobodj-  stirred  to 
open  it,  until  presently  Miles  gave  a  doleful  howl 
and  Adams,  with  an  angry  look,  raised  the  latch  to 
drive  the  creature  away.  But  the  d(^g  rushed  in 
before  Simon  could  prevent,  and  trotting  up  to  its 
master  fixed  on  him  a  mournful  gaze. 

"  I  can  be  of  no  further  use  here,"  said  the  Cap 
tain,  in  a  hurried,  agitated  tone  to  the  elder. 

The  latter  shook  his  head  and  whispered,  '•  No  ; 
we  may  as  well  both  depart  and  make  preparations 
for  the  funeral ;  I'll  bear  the  whole  expense,  Mr. 
Wadsworth,  I  insist  on  that.  But  come ;  Mrs. 
Japheth  is  like  a  body  possessed  ;  Nancy  Clark  can 
manage  her  better  than  any  one  else  ;  come." 
Wadsworth  hastened  with  him  to  the  threshold, 
and  was  about  to  pass  out  when  Mr.  Barebones 
stopped,  and  began  fumbling  for  something  in  his 
pocket. 

"  Here,  Miss  Clark,"  he  said,  beckoning  to  the 
3'oung  woman,  "  here  are  a  couple  of  pine  tree, 
shillings  which  —  "  lowering  his  voice  to  a  whisper 
and  putting  his  mouth  to  her  ear — "  you  may  place 
on  brother  Jacob's  eyes,  after  his  soul  has  departed 
they'll  keep  the  lids  from  bobbin'  up."  With  this 
he  slipped  the  coins  into  her  hand  and  left  the 
Jiouse,  like  his  companion  too  absorbed  in  gloomy 
thought  to  enter  into  conversation. 


190  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

"  Justly  puiiislied,"  said  Wadsworth  to  himself, 
"justly  punished.  Yes,  I  deserve  to  have  even  a 
brute  remind  me  of  it ;  oh,  I  wish  Miles  were  dead  ! 
they  call  him  my  *  shadow.'  Alas !  too  true,  this 
gift  of  Nancy  Clark  follows  me  everywhere  ;  if 
'twern't  for  Miles  I  might  forget  her."  Then  sud- 
denly raising  his  voice  and  in  a  tone  of  agony, 
"No,  no,"  he  cried,  "  I  am  doomed  never  to  forget 
liei'.  Her  memory  will  haunt  me  in  this  world  an  1 
the  next.  Too  late !  I  am  tempted  bevood  my 
strength.  Oh,  Mr.  Barebones,  ]3ity  the  must 
wretched  of  men," 

"  I  will  pray  for  you,"  said  the  other.  "  We  are 
all  burthened  with  sin.  I,  too,  carry  a  heavy  load, 
but  God's  mercy  is  great.  I  will  pray.  I  ask  not 
what  it  is  weighs  so  heavily  upon  your  conscience. 
Always  have  hope;  it  is  never  too  late." 

Here  his  consoling  remarks  were  interrupted 
by  some  of  the  townfolks  coming  up  and  asking- 
after  Jacob  Japheth,  so  that  Wadsworth  was  left 
to  saunter  along  the  road  by  himself— a  prey  to 
the  gloomiest  thoughts,  and  for  the  first  time  in 
his  life  doubting  whether  God  always  heard  the 
cry  of  a  suffering  soul. 


CHARTBR   OAK.  191 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Theiie  is  another  giave  near  the  old  meet- 
ing-house, and  carved  in  rude  letters  on  the  brow  u 
skb  is  the  name  of  Jacob  Japheth,  with  the  follow*  ■ 
ing  epitaph  : 

' '  As  you  arc  so  was  I 
God  did  call  and  I  did  die 
Translated  tenth  day  of  June 
Year  of  Grace  1687  aged  51. 

Nancy  who  often  comes  to  lay  wild  flowers  on 
her  mother's  tomb,  now  always  brings  a  few  for 
the  departed  cobbler.  The  people  of  Hartford 
have  quite  changed  their  opinion  of  the  young 
woman.  They  no  longer  consider  her  as  given 
over  to  Beelzebub,  for  now  she  goes  regularly  to 
meeting  on  Sabbath  and  lecture  days  ;  and  the 
dullest  of  them  have  guessed  that  it  was  her  father 
who  had  kept  her  so  long  from  the  practice  of  re- 
ligion—since the  change  in  her  ways  dated  from 
the  time  when  he  had  turned  her  from  home. 
Lydia,  however,  still  continues  to  absent  herself, 
on  these  occasions,  and  not  a  few  regret  to  see 
Nancy  so  intimate  with  her. 

"Why  be  seen  in  the  company  of  a  sabbath- 
breaker?"  was  a  question  often  asked  by  dame 
Fhilbrick,  who  likewise  thought  it  exceeding  strange 
that  Nancy  should  continue  to  dwell  with  Mrs. 
Bull,   who   since  her  ducking  had  never  gone  to 


192  ROMANCE   or  THE 

clmrch,  albeit  lier  tongue  had  not  given  any  further 
scandal.  But  especially  to  Mr.  Barebones  were 
Lydia  and  the  widow  sources  of  uneasiness ;  the 
new  tithing-man  had  over  and  over  again  com- 
plained of  them  both,  yet,  so  far,  neither  had  been 
punished  for  their  sinful  conduct.  What  could  it 
mean?" 

One  hot  July  evening,  Adams  and  Wadsw^orth 
were  sauntering  along  the  edge  of  the  green,  con- 
versing about  the  regicide's  daughter. 

"  Yes,"  said  the  tavern-keeper,  "  the  feeling 
against  the  girl  is  very  strong,  and  yet" — here  he 
laughed,  "  nobody  proposes  to  punish  her  for  sab- 
bath-breaking. I  half  believe  they're  afraid  of 
her,  she  does  give  them  such  haughty  answers. 
Depend  upon  it,  Captain,  it's  more  her  defiant  l9oks 
than  the  fact  of  her  being  your  guest  which  makes 
'em  keep  hands  off.  As  for  the  termagant  widow 
Bull,  why  she  backs  up  Miss  L^^dia,  and  Miss 
Lydia  backs  her  up,  and  so  between  'em  they've 
defied  the  law  ;  ha,  ha  !" 

"  And  I  suppose,"  returned  Wadsworth,  musing- 
ly, "I  suppose  I'm  blamed  for  harboring  Miss 
Goffe." 

"  To  tell  the  truth,  sir,  you  are." 

"  Well,  if  they  only  knew  iiow  hard  I've  tried  to 
make  her  own  the  covenant  they'd  cease  blaming 
me,  Adams.     She's  a  perfect  rock  to  move.     They 


CHARTER    OAK.  lOo 

might  burn  her  at  the  stake,  yet  I  veidly  behevo 
such  an  awful  death  would  not  break  her  stiibbor- 
ness." 

"  If  we  ever  get  those  h'on  cages  which  our  rul- 
ing elder  is  so  anxious  we  should,"  pursued  Adams, 
"  then  will  come  the  crisis  ;  for  Mr.  Barebones  will 
din  it  into  the  people's  ears  that  they  must  make 
some  practical  use  of  them  ;  and  public  opinion 
might  be  so  worked  up  that  Miss  Lj^dia  and  the 
widow  would  either  go  to  meeting  or  be  put  in  a 
cage.  Ha  !  'twill  have  to  be  a  big  one  to  hold  Mrs. 
Bidl !" 

Wadsworth  at  the  mention  of  cages  clenched  his 
fists  and  muttered  something  which  the  ruling 
elder,  had  he  been  present,  would  not  have  consid- 
ered very  complimentar3\  "  And  j'et,"  he  said  to 
himself,  "  I  once  rej^roved  the  girl  because  she  op- 
posed the  use  of  stocks  and  whipping-posts.  Now 
here  am  I  waxing  wroth  at  the  bare  idea  of  her  be- 
ing some  day  pu  in  a  cage  at  the  church  dooi^ 
Oh,  what  a  tyrant  has  my  passion  become  !  how  it 
crushes  out  everj' other  sentiment!  Fa!  I  dare 
them  to  treat  her  like  a  wild  beast!"  As  he  thus 
soliloquized  bis  eyes  flashed,  while  his  companion 
smiled,  for  t])e  latter  well  knew  what  was  passing 
through  the  mind  of  )iis  chief. 

"Aye,"  exclaimed  Adams,  "  she's  as  bewitchini.; 


194  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

as  she's  deep  and  mysterious;  although  you've 
not  conquered  her,  she's  conquered  you." 

At  these  words  Wadsworth  turned  on  the  publi- 
can with  a  fierce  look,  but  Simon  paid  no  heed  to 
it. 

"And  she's  disappointed  me,"  he  continued. 
"  There  was  a  time  when  I  considered  her  already 
as  good  as  your  wife.  Through  all  the  years  I 
visited  her  at  her  father's  cabin,  I  used  to  say  to 
myself,  "  she's  to  be  Captain  Joe's  bride.  But  now 
I'm  baffled  as  much  as  yourself,  and  I  can't  conceal 
my  feelings." 

"  Well,  try,  Adams,  and  not  let  her  hate  you. 
Should  the  train-band  ever  recover  thoir  old  spirit, 
Lydia  may  do  good  service  to  the  cause  which  lies 
so  near  my  heart.  I  am  certain,  whatever  others 
may  think,  that  she  is  firm  in  her  devotion  to  her 
native  land." 

"  Well,  I  shall  endeavor  to  share  your  good 
opinion  of  Miss  Lydia.  Perhaps  the  ofiicer  I  saw 
her  conversing  with  some  months  ago  is  only,  as 
you  persist  in  believing,  a  tool  whom  she  is  making 
use  of  for  a  good  end.  Yerily,  'twould  be  most  un- 
'  natural  for  the  girl  to  be  other  than  patriotic.  If 
iur  no  other  reason  than  the  love  she  bears  her  fa- 
tijor,  she  ought  to  be  true  to  our  side." 

Wadsworth  nodded  but  made  no  further  response 
to  his  friend,  who  went  on  indulging  in  more  praise 


OHAilTEH   OAK.  105 

of  Lydia  than  he  had  iu  a  long  time.  And  among 
other  things,  he  lauded  her  for  the  kindness  she 
had  shown  the  widow  Jai^heth,  whom  she  visited 
every  day,  rain  or  shine,  carrying,  besides  her  own 
stock  of  gifts,  those  which  the  ruling  elder  would 
send — the  aversion  of  the  bed-ridden  w^oman  for 
liim  being  so  strong  that  the  goodman  was  not  al- 
lowed to  enter  the  cottage. 

"  Sometimes,"  pursued  Adams,  "  Mrs.  Japheth 
will  not  eat  herself  nor  allow  her  children  to  eat 
the  cookies  Miss  Lydia  carries  to  her,  for  she  sus- 
pects that  they  may  be  gifts  from  Israel  Barebones, 
whom  she  hates  Avith  a  devil's  hate." 

"  I  regret,"  said  AVadsworth,  "'  that  she  enter- 
tains such  feelings  towards  our  ruling  elder  ;  I  have 
myself  no  great  cause  for  loving  one  whose  peace 
policy  has  blasted  my  hopes  of  independence. 
Nevertheless  I  must  do  him  justice ;  he  has  a  kindly 
heart.  'Twas  he  who  paid  all  the  expenses  of 
the  cobbler's  funeral ;  not  a  penny  would  he  let  me 
contribute  towards  it.  He  likewise  put  up  the 
gravestone." 

-  "  Well,  it's  not  he  lays  those  beautiful  flowers 
on  Jacob's  tomb,"  said  Adams,  pointing  at  the 
little  cemetery  across  the  green.  Wadsworth  fol- 
lowed the  direction  of  his  finger,  and  discovered 
Nancy  in  the  act  of  placing  a  wreath  on  the  slab 
which  covered  the  remains  of  Mr.  Japheth — while 


196  noMAKCE  OF  THE 

near  bj  stood  Lydia,  holding  more  flowers  in  her 
apron. 

"  Tell  me,  Captain,"  pursued  Adams,  "what  did 
Dr.  Mather  think  of  Miss  Lydia?  I  know^  he 
saw  but  little  of  her  when  he  was  here,  yet  he 
must  have  been  struck  by  her  beauty  ?  Say,  Cap- 
tain, didn't  he  urge  you  to  take  her  for  your  wife  ? 
I  can't  believe  such  a  shrewd  observer  of  men 
went  away  without  advising  you  to  marry  her.  In 
all  Connecticut  there's  not  her  equal.  See,  there 
she  is  strewing  roses  on  Mrs.  Clark'b.  grave.  Oh, 
why  are  you  so  vacillating?  Can  such  a  brave 
man  fear  to  ask  a  woman  for  her  hand  ?  Here 
now  is  as  good  a  chance  as  any.  Come — advance, 
aud  while  I  draw  Miss  Clark  aside,  do  you  lay  bare 
your  heart  to  Lydia  Goffe."  When  the  tavern- 
keeper  had  begun  to  speak  of  the  regicide's  daugh- 
ter, Wadsworthhad  dropped  his  eyes  on  the  ground. 
Oh,  if  his  friend  could  have  known  what  the  great 
divine  had  really  told  him — could  he  have  seen  tlie 
letter  which  the  minister  had  written,  warning  the 
Captain  to  marry  Nancy  or  incur  the  wrath  of  a 
just  God,  he  would  not  have  Avondered,  as  he  did, 
at  Wadsworth's  troubled  look. 

"  Captain,  Captain,  what  is  the  matter?  Have 
I  offended  ?"  he  exclaimed,  seeing  his  chief  abrupt- 
ly turn  and  walk  away.  But  the  latter,  deaf  to  tke 
appeals  of  the  faithful  scout,  continued  at  a  rapid 


CH.xETEK   OAK.  197 

pace  along  the  road,  leaving  his  friend  to  siirag  his 
shoulders  and  marvel  at  such  behavior. 

"  Humph  !"  said  Adams,  "  they  call  me  mad  :  it's 
Captain  Joe  that's  mad,  not  I.  If  this  pretty  bird 
escapes  him  and  marries  somebody  else,  I  for  one 
sliall  say,  '  served  him  right'."  Then  advancing 
across  the  green  he  began  to  praise  the  young 
women  for  taking  such  "care  of  the  resting-places 
of  the  dead,  and  added  that  Wadsworth  had  been 
much  pleased  to  find  them  thus  employed, 

"Is  that  he  going  off  yonder?"  exclaimed 
Lydia.     "  How  fast  he  walks !" 

"Yes,  *tis  Mad  Wadsworth,  as  he  should  be 
called." 

"  Then  I  must  make  haste  and  overtake  him," 
she  continued,  turning  to  her  friend — "  you  know 
why.  It's  been  impossible  to  lay  eyes  on  him  till 
now." 

"  Mad  Wadsworth  was  off  spearing  salmon.  Miss; 
but  the  recreation  seems  to  have  done  iiim  little 
good,"  remarked  the  tavern-keeper.  "  Ten  min- 
utes hence  he'll  be  buried  among  his  papers,  or 
worrying  about — ha,  ha, — about  his  boots — what  a 
strange  man  he  is  !" 

"  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  said  Nancy,  "  ought  not  to 
study  immediately  after  recovering  from  a  severe 
illness.  But  pray,  Mr.  Adams  (for  with  the  rest  of 
the  townfolks  she  now  gave  him  the  title  of  Mr.) 


198  ROMANCE    or   THE 

praj  what  was  that  you  said  about  the  Captain's 
boots?" 

"  Humph  !"  ejaculated  Simon,  "  perhaps  I  ought 
not  to  tell.  However,  there  can't  be  much  harm. 
Well,  you  must  know  that  twice  this  week  he 
has  found  them  covered  with  mud,  when  he  went  to 
[)ut  them  on  in  the  morning ;  and  yet  he  had  cleaned 
them  thoroughly  the  evening  before.  Now,  I  myself 
have  ahvaj's  believed  there  was  something  queer 
about  the  Captain's  house,  and  have  nevei-  fancied 
sleeping  there.  It  worried  me  a  great  deal  when 
he  found  that  map  on  his  table  some  years  ago. 
And  here  comes  this  new  mystery.  Why,  if  his 
aunt  heard  about  it,  she'd  say  a  witch  had  used 
his  boots." 

"It  may  be  the  work  of  the  Evil  One,"  murmured 
Nancy.  "  Satan  hath  good  reason  for  distracting 
Joseph  Wadsworth,  whose  whole  career  is  bound 
up  with  a  covenant  between  himself  and  the 
Lord." 

Here  the  speaker  clasped  her  hands  and  turning 
her  eyes  towards  the  heavens,  exclaimed,  "  Oh, 
Wadsworth,  stand  firm  and  conquer !" 

"Mad  Nancy!"  thought  Adams,  shrugging  his 
shoulders,  for  he  did  not  understand  what  she 
meant,  "  you  and  the  Captain  are  both  losing  your 
wits.     Aye,  Mad  Nancy !" 

Leavirg  the  tavern-keeper  gazing  at  her  with  an 


CHARTER   OAK.  199 

expression  of  pity  on  his  countenance,  let  us  follow 
Lydia,  who  in  her  eagerness  to  overtake  the  chief 
of  the  train-band,  has  now  quickened  her  steps  into 
a  run.  Wadsworth  heard  her  coming,  and  for  a 
moment  resisted  tiie  temptation  which  impelled 
him  to  stop  and  welcome  her.  "  Oh,  why,"  he 
groaned,  "  did  Increase  Mather  condemn  my  vow  ? 
That  might  have  saved  me.  But  noAV  I  am  my 
own  slave  ;  my  prayers  have  not  been  heard." 
With  this  he  turned  towards  the  girl,  who  was 
within  a  few  paces  of  him,  and  who  never  had  looked 
so  beautiful  as  on  this  summer  evening.  Her 
cheeks,  which  during  his  illness  had  lost  their 
color,  were  blooming  again  like  roses,  while  her 
golden  hair  scarcely  long  enough  to  reach  her 
shoulders,  and  freed  from  the  hood  which  she  pre- 
ferred to  carr}'  in  her  hand — was  blown  about  in  a 
most  bewitching  way  by  the  breeze. 

"  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  she  exclaimed,  "  I  have  been 
seeking  all  over  town  for  you.  I  have  great 
news." 

"  Indeed  !"  said  her  host.  "  Then  as  we  walk 
along  together  you  can  tell  it  to  me," 

"  It  is  about  Andros  coming  to  seize  our  charter, 
sir." 

"  Oh  !  that  is  something  I  must  listen  to  with 
attention.  Go  on,  repeat  all  you  have  heard  the 
smallest  particulr/rs.     But  first  tell  how  you  came 


200  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

by  the  news.  I  rely  on  Adams  to  keep  me  posted  ; 
yet  h(3  lias  not  spoken  a  word  about  this,  except  of 
course  in  a  general  way,  that  Sir  Edmund  was 
likely  to  make  an  attempt  some  day  or  other  to 
seize  the  instrument." 

"  Well,  my  information  comes  from  a  source  I 
can  implicitly  trust,  and  the  messenger  who  brought 
it  is  Christian,  the  Pequot  lad,  who  I  think  was 
so  unjustly  ordered  to  leave  the  settlement  a  few 
months  ago.  It  does  not,  however,  mention  aught 
about  the  charter.  The  message  simplj-  warns  me 
to  protect  my  father  against  Sir  Edmund,  who  will 
visit  Hartford  towards  the  last  of  October.  But, 
as  the  governor  knows  nothing  about  the  old  gentle- 
man being  concealed  here,  his  journey  can  have 
no  other  object  than  to  get  possession  of  the 
Charter." 

"Humph!"  eiacuLated  Wadsworth,  "  then  your 
informant  was  only  interested  in  the  safety  of 
Colonel  Goife?  He  had  scruples,  perhaps,  about 
revealing  his  master's  plans  for  taking  away  what 
little  is  left  of  our  liberties." 

"  No  doubt  you  are  right,"  pursued  the  girl  ; 
"  he  is  trying  to  fill  a  difficult  position  with  honor. 
I  thank  him  for  his  warning,  and  no  harm  if  we 
prolit  by  it  in  other  respects." 

"  Save  the  charter !"  exclaimed  Wadsworth, 
mournfully.     "  Ah,  Miss  Lydia  !  the  spirit  which 


cbahter  oak.  201 

animates  you  does  not  animate  everybody.  T  am 
full  of  grief  at  the  change  which  has  come  over  my 
train-band,  and  what  I  hear  fi  om  other  settlements 
tells  the  same  story.  My  unfortunate  illness  gave 
those  who  opposed  my  scheme  for  a  revolution  au 
opportunity  to  influence  the  people  in  a  way  they 
never  would  have  done,  had  I  been  able  to  go 
about  and  keep  the  fire  of  their  souls  burning. 
Alas  !  I  fear  Andros  will  have  an  easy  march  across 
the  colony."  Here  he  paused  a  moment,  then 
raising  his  voice — "Alas,  alas,  it  all  comes  from  the 
advice  given  me  by  a  great  and  holy  man.  Diffi- 
cult was  the  road  I  was  travelling,  yet  I  would  have 
reached  the  goal  had  I  not  broken  the  spirit  of  a 
vow,  a  solemn,  solemn  vow.  But  it  is  too  late — I 
cannot  go  back !" 

"  Mr.  "Wadsworth,  what  do  you  mean  ?"  said 
Lydia,  believing,  as  she  had  many  times  before, 
that  the  brain  of  her  host  was  off  its  balance. 

"Nothing,  oh  nothing!'*  he  replied,  burying  his 
face  in  his  hands  ;  then  suddenly  looking  up  and 
with  a  wild  expression — "  daughter  of  the  regicide'!" 
he  exclaimed,  "  to  you  henceforward  will  I  go  for 
cheering  words  ;  I  will  rest  my  strength  upon  your 
strength  ;  my  soul  in  you  shall  find  comfort  and 
courage.  Tell  me,  Lydia  Goffe,  what  must  I  do  to 
save  the  charter?     I  would  know  what  steps  to 


202  ROMANCE  OF  l^flE 

take  if  the  people  had  remained  true  to  Die  ;  1;ut 
the  J  will  not  fight  ?     Tell  me  what  can  I  do  r 

The  girl  made  no  response — she  was  thinking 
deeply  over  the  state  of  afFaiis,  and  perhaps  was 
a  little  startled  by  the  warmth  of  his  appeal. 
"  Where  is  the  Ind»ian  who  brought  the  message  ? 
I  would  like  to  question  him,"  pursued  Wadsworth, 
after  waiting  a  moment  for  her  answer. 

"  He  has  already  gone  back  to  Boston,  sir.  He 
came  last  night  to  Mrs.  Bull's  cabin,  deUvered  the 
note  which  contained  the  information  I  have  given 
you,  then  hurried  away,  without  even  waiting  to 
take  an  hour's  sleep." 

"  Well,  he  was  wise,"  said  Wadsworth  ;  "  had  he 
tarried  till  morning  he  might  have  been  seized  and 
punished ;  for  despite  your  faith  in  him  you  must 
confess  that  his  visit  to  Nathaniel  Clark's  some 
months  ago,  was  enough  to  have  excited  the  suspi- 
cions of  Mad  Adams  and  others,  who  believe  there 
is  truth  in  the  report  that  Andros  is  tampering 
with  the  heathen." 

"  Poor  Christian  !"  sighed  Lydia.  "  Blame  me, 
sir,  not  him.  'Twas  my  fault  if  he  went  to  Mr. 
Clark's — I  asked  him  to  go." 

Wadsworth,  who  had  already  guessed  that  such 
was  the  case,  and  that  the  object  of  the  Pequot's 
visit  had  been  to  warn  Henry  Synnot  against  Mad 


CHARTER  OaK.  203 

Adams,  would  fain  have  pressed  tlie  subject  and 
tried  to  make  her  reveal  how  she  and  the  British 
officer  had  come  to  be  so  intimate,  and  what  proof 
she  had  that  Andros  had  not  heard  of  the  regicide's 
discovery.  But  he  remembered  that  she  was  a 
person  who  kept  her  own  counsels,  and  that  nothing 
he  might  say  would  be  likely  to  throw  her 
off  her  guard.  Had  he  known  what  his  auDt 
knew  (and  we  must  give  Miss  Crabtree  credit  for 
having  kept  this  secret,  if  she  had  never  kept  any 
other,)  that  Henry  Synnot  had  once  pressed  his 
lips  to  Lydia's  hand  ;  had  he  known  how  that  kiss 
had  planted  in  her  heart  the  seed  of  a  love  which 
had  grown  with  the  months,  and  now  burned  with 
an  intensity  almost  as  great  as  the  love  which  he 
himself  bore  for  her — oh,  had  Wadsworth  known 
this,  despair  would  not  have  delayed  throwing  over 
his  soul  her  dark  veil. 


CHAPTER  XXXVn. 

This  evening  found  Lydia  in  Mrs.  Bull's  cabin 
at  a  later  hour  than  usual.  The  widow  was 
seated  in  a  rude  arm  chair — her  fingers  playing 
with  the  old  tarred  rope,  lying  on  her  lap,  and 
which  she  cherished  more  than  ever  &ince  the  loss 


204  noMAKCE  OT'  THE 

of  her  Sliakespeare ;  she  seemed  to  pay  no  atten- 
tion to  the  conversation  going  on  between  Nancy 
and  Lydia — her  thoughts  were  all  in  the  past — and 
she  was  wishing  that  she  could  live  over  again  the 
da}^  the  Polly  Ann  had  been  launched.  "  How  we 
cheered  when  she  glided  into  the  water!  and  what 
jolly  toasts  we  drank  !"  said  the  dame  to  herself. 
"  Neither  the  rum  nor  the  wine  is  as  good  now  as  it 
was  in  those  days — alas!"  Here  she  gave  a  sigh, 
then  went  on  trying  to  picture  to  herself  the  tempest 
which  had  sent  the  staunch  vessel  to  the  bottom. 
"  It  must  have  blowed  great  guns  !"  she  said,  "  great 
guns  !  Don't  believe  there  w^as  a  spar  left  when  she 
took  the  last  plunge.  But  the  old  man  was  at  the 
helm — yes,  I  vow  he  was — ^just  as  I  once  saw  him 
in  a  dream."  Here  she  pressed  the  rope  to  her  lips 
and  gave  another  sigh.  Leaving  her  thus  solilo- 
quizing, we  will  turn  our  attention  to  the  young 
women. 

"  "Well,"  said  Lydia,  after  a  rather  lengthy  pause, 
"  I  cannot  see  that  we  are  able  to  do  any  thing.  If 
the  people  will  not  fight,  the  charter  must  be  lost. 
Wadsworth,  Adams,  myself  and — and  you,  might 
be  ready  enough  to  defend  it ;  but  we  are  only 
four." 

"  You  forget  Mrs.  Bull,"  said  Nancy,  glancing 
with  a  smile  at  the  widow. 

"  Oh,  yes,  that  makes  five  ;  yet  what  could  such 


CHARTER   OAK.  205 

a  siiijill  iniiiiber  do  against  dear  knows  how  many 
red  coats,  who,  when  they  arrived  here  would  not 
find  themselves  without  ardent  sympathisers." 

Her  friend  blushed,  for  she  knew  that  Lydia  al- 
kided  to  her  father,  who  of  late  had  come  out  more 
boldly  than  ever  in  favor  of  Andros. 

"  Well,  we  might  steal  the  charter,"  said  Nancy, 
after  another  pause,  "  and  hide  it  away." 

"  Ha  !"  exclaimed  Lydia,  laughing,  "  ha,  ha  ! 
steal  it  indeed — easier  said  than  done." 

"  Well,  my  faith  has  not  all  departed,"  rejoined 
Nancy.  "  The  skies  look  dark,  I  know,  very,  very 
dark,  and  if  it  depended  only  on  the  arms  of  frail 
mortals,  then  I  might  indeed  cease  to  have  any 
hope.  But  the  Lord  will  not  abandon  our  cause  ; 
jio,  not  while  Wadsworth  stands  firm  and  conquers 
himself." 

"  I  find  your  words  as  mysterious  as  the  Cap- 
tain's words  at  times,"  said  Lydia,  "  conquer  him- 
self !  Poor  fellow\  As  if  he  had  not  already 
racked  his  brains  and  made  a  skeleton  of  his  body 
trying  to  save  Connecticut." 

Not  unwilling  to  lead  her  friend's  thoughts  away 
from  the  allusion  wliich  she  had  made  to  Wads- 
worth's  vow,  Nancy  now  went  on  to  explain  how 
the  charter  might  be  stolen.  "  It  will,  no  doubt," 
she  said,  "  be  brought  and  placed  before  Sir  Ed- 
mund, in  the  General  Court  Chamber,  and  theo 


206  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

surrenclered  with  some  kind  of  ceremony.  Now, 
might  not  a  bold,  quick  hand,  at  that  instant,  snatch 
it  away  ?" 

Lydia  gazed  earnestly  at  Nancy  for  more  than  a 
minute — then  rising  to  her  feet  and  striking  her 
hand  upon  the  table,  "You  have  had  a  sign  from 
God,"  she  exclaimed,  "  yes,  yes ;  I  laughed  at 
first ;  I  see  it  now — your  inspiration  will  save  the 
charter — Andros  Avill  not  get  possession  of  it.  Oh, 
Nancy,  the  Lord  is  indeed  in  league  with  you." 

"  As  in  the  days  of  old  He  helped  His  chosen 
people,  so  now  He  will  help  us.  We  are  the  new 
Israel,"  returned  the  young  woman.  "  But  my 
plan  of  saving  the  instrument  will  require  courage  ; 
we  must  do  our  part,  or  the  Almighty  will  not  do 
His." 

"  Oh,  leave  it  to  me,  leave  it  to  me  !"  exclaimed 
Lydia,  in  an  animated  tone;  "I  shall  arrange  it 
all.  I  only  hope  the  roll  of  parchment  may  be  pro- 
duced at  night.  But  whether  b^'  sunlight  or  by 
lamp  light,  the  sign  which  the  Lord  has  given  you 
shall  be  obeyed.     The  charter  is  safe." 

When  they  had  conversed  together  a  little  while 
longer  the  nine  o'clock  bell  rang,  and  Lydia  an- 
nounced that  it  was  time  for  her  to  go  home.  Ac- 
cordingly, after  having  spoken  a  few  cheery  word.i 
to  the  widow — telling  her  not  to  be  all  the  time 


CHARTER   OAK.  207 

sigliiDg  over  a  piece  of  rope — aiul  given  Nancy  an 
embrace,  she  left  the  cottage. 

In  a  few  minutes  Mrs.  Bull's  candle  was  extin- 
guished, and  the  goodwoman — w)iose  last  waking 
thoughts  were  of  the  Polly  Ann — was  falling  asleep. 
Presently,  in  her  dreams,  she  saw  Cape  Cod, 
and  the  great  billows,  and  on  the  top  of  the  highest 
wave  of  all  her  husband's  craft,  shaking  the  spray 
from  her  bow  ere  she  took  the  final  dive  into  the 
sea — which  was  to  be  her  sepulchre. 

Nancy  did  not  follow  her  host's  example.  It  was 
DOW  too  dark,  but  when  the  moon  rose,  which 
would  be  in  about  an  hour,  it  w'as  her  intention  to 
wander  out  and  sit  awhile  under  the  oak  on  Wyllys' 
hill.  The  whippoorwills,  she  knew,  would  be  utter- 
ing their  mournful  notes  on  that  hallowed  spot,  and 
the  landscape,  under  the  full  moon,  would  present 
a  scene  of  melancholy  beauty  which  would  accord 
well  with  her  feelings.  But  not  for  the  whippoor- 
wills nor  weird  scenery  would  she  have  thought  of 
leaving  the  house  to-night — an  unaccountable  im- 
pulse prompted  her  to  visit  the  ground  where  she 
had  passed  so  many  happy  moments  with  Joseph 
Wadsworth.  "Yes,  I  must  go,"  she  said,  after 
having  remained  bv  the  window  durinsj  what  seemed 
two  hours  instead  of  one,  and  seeing  the  moon  at 
length  rising  across  the  river — "  I  must  go."  So, 
wrapping  her  cloak  about  her — for,  although  mid- 


'208  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

summer,  there  was  a  heavy  dew — Nancy  softly  raised 
the  latch  and  passed  out.  She  was  not  long  reaching 
Wyllys'  hill,  where,  having  seated  herself  under  the 
spreading  branches  of  the  oak,  she  began  playfully 
to  count  the  fire-flies  which  were  darting  around 
lier  in  myriads,  until,  bewildered  by  their  number, 
she  turned  her  eyes  towards  the  Connecticut,  whose 
waters,  silvered  by  the  moonbeams,  looked  like  a 
stream  of  fairy -land.  No  challenge  came  from  the 
watch  tower,  although  it  was  only  a  short  distance 
away — the  sentinels  were  asleep.  On  one  of  the 
lower  limbs  of  the  tree  a  whippoorwill  was  uttering 
its  plaintive  call,  and  as  Nancy  listened  to  the  bird, 
\Nhat  memories  were  awakened  in  her  breast ! 

"  Here  is  the  spot,"  she  sighed,  clasping  her 
hands ;  "  yes,  here  is  the  spot,  and  it  was  a  night 
like  this.  It  seems  oiAj  yesterday.  Oh,  what  have 
I  not  suffered  in  trying  to  smother  my  love  for  him ! 
But  he  gave  it  life,  and  it  will  not  die.  Even  now 
I  feel  his  arm  around  my  waist ;  I  still  can  feel  his 
lips  pressing  my  cheek — sweet  embrace  !  No,  no, 
I  could  not  help  adoring  him,  unless  God  were  to 
annihilate  me.  Yet  he  never  shall  know  it.  He 
gave  me  up  as  a  hostage  for  the  success  of  his  glo- 
rious undertaking.  I  cannot  believe  that  he  is 
wavering ;  it  is  only  gossip.  No,  no,  Wadsworth 
will  keep  his  vow — and  I  will  suffer  on  with  pa- 
Uence  and  resignation  to  the  end.     So  in  another 


nHARTEn  OAK.  209 

life  may  I  share  bis  glory  and  love  him  there  as  I 
could  not  love  him  here." 

Presently  the  tears  came,  and  for  a  few  minutes 
she  wept  bitterly.  Only  once  before  had  Nancy 
thus  given  way  to  her  feelings,  and  now  as  she 
cried  she  kept  repeating  to  herself,  "  Here  is  the 
spot — 'twas  a  night  like  this."  She  thought  of  the 
gossip  of  the  town,  which  whispered  every  where  : 
"  The  Captain  loves  Miss  Lydia  ;  he  loves  her—  he 
loves  her."  At  length,  drying  her  tears  :  "  Why  do 
I  weep  ?"  she  exclaimed.  "  He  cannot  break  the 
covenant ;  no,  he  cannot.  How  mysterious  are  the 
ways  of  the  Lord  !  My  dearest  friend  is  his  great- 
est temptation.  Yet  Lydia,  I  am  sure,  loves 
another.  Ah,  yes,  she  would  follow  Henry  Synnot 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth  if  he  were  not  serving  King- 
James.  Happy  Providence,  which  threw  him  in  her 
way  !  But  for  their  meeting  in  the  forest,  the  regi- 
cide's daughter  might  have  found  in  Wadsworth  her 
id(  al,  as  I  myself  did.  No,  I  shall  not  cry  any  more  ; 
I  will  trust  in  God  and  pray.  I  need  strength  to 
keep  resigned  ;  and  Wkdsworth  has  need  of  all  the 
help  which  prayer  can  give  to  remain  true  to  the 
promise  he  made  the  Almighty." 

While  she  was  thus  soliloquizing,  she  was 
startled  by  the  sound  of  footsteps,  and  rose 
from  her  seat,  not  a  little  alarmed.  Who  could  it 
be?     How  her  heart  throbbed  when  presently  she 


^10  l^.OMANCE   OF   ME 

discovered,  but  a  few  paces  off,  one  wliom  she  knew 
well — a  dog  following  at  his  heels !  S-he  had  no- 
ticed how  latterly  Wadsworth  had  avoided  her ; 
would  he  turn  aside  now?  On  he  came,  the  ful) 
moon  casting  its  pale  light  on  his  haggard  face — 
giving  it  an  unearthly  hue,  which  made  her  shud- 
der. His  eyes,  which  were  wide  open,  stared 
straight  in  front  of  him ;  yet  he  walked  like  one 
blind,  with  slow,  uncertain  step,  and  was  going  past 
when  Miles,  with  a  loud  bark,  sprang  towards  her 
and  almost  threw  her  down  in  his  joyful  gambols. 
An  exclamation  of  horror  followed,  and  Wadsworth 
lay  stretched  at  her  feet,  his  face  towards  the 
ground.  Agitated  beyond  expression,  and  almost 
ready  to  faint,  she  summoned  nerve  enough  to 
grasp  his  arm,  then  begged  him  to  tell  what  was 
the  matter.  But  for  awhile  he  appeared  deaf  to  all 
she  said,  and  only  answered  with  piteous  moans. 
At  length,  gazing  up  at  her,  "Where  am  I?"  he 
exclaimed,  "  and  who  are  you  ?" 

"  I  am  Nancy  Clark,  and  this  is  Wyllys'  hill," 
she  replied,  in  as  firm  a  voice  as  she  could  com- 
mand. 

**  How  came  I  here?"  he  continued.  "Is  my 
brain  really  turned?     Adams  calls  me  mad." 

While  he  was  speaking  she  had  made  him  take 
her  hand,  and  was  endeavoring  to  assist  him  to  his 
feet.    But  he  would  not  rise  further  than  his  knees, 


CHARTER  OAK.  211 

"  Oh,  blessed  beiDg,"  he  said,  "  I  know  your  soft 
and  gentle  touch.  You  are  Nancy  Clark.  Have 
you  come  from  heaven  to  rescue  me  ?" 

Frightened  by  his  wild  expression,  she  answered 
with  trembling  accents,  "  I  stand  before  jou,  sir,  in 
flesh  and  blood,  and  this  is  your  favorite  oak-tree 
on  Wyllys'  hill.  Oh,  tell  me  what  is  the  matter  ? 
Shall  I  call  the  watch  ?" 

He  shook  his  head ;  then  pressing  one  of  his 
hands  to  his  brow,  seemed  to  be  trying  to  collect 
his  senses.  "  Nancy,"  at  length  he  sighed,  "  I  be- 
lieve that  for  years  past  the  B\'il  One  has  been  prac- 
ticing on  me  a  great  deceit.  Yes,  prompted  by  him, 
I  once  took  a  rash  vow,  and  through  me  the  devil 
has  likewise  deceived  you.  But  the  Lord  has  guid- 
ed me  here  to-night  in  oider  that  I  might  meet 
you,  ii.nd  at  your  feet  renew  my  first  profession  of 
love." 

WaJsworth,  Wadsworth,  speak  not  thus,"  ex- 
claimed the  young  woman.  "  It  is  blasphemy  to 
attribute  your  vow  to  Satan.  No,  no,  'twas  the 
Almighty  who  inspired  you.  I  know  Beelzebub 
goeth  about  seeking  whom  he  may  devour ;  he 
longs  to  possess  your  great  and  daring  soul ;  he  is 
striving  to  grasp  you  from  God ;  Oh,  pray,  pra}^ ! 
You  must  not  be  among  the  lost."  Here  she  turn- 
ed her  eyes  towards  the  stars,  and  with  a  tear  roll- 
ing down  her  cheek,  murmured,  "  it  may  be  a  sin- 


212  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

ful  thing  to  say,  but  heaven  would  not  be  heaven 
for  me  if  he  were  not  there." 

"  Nancy,"  pursued  the  sleep-walker,  still  holding 
fast  to  her  hand  and  pressing  it  convulsively — • 
"  Nancy,  I  have  prayed,  I  have  cried  for  light.  But 
never  until  this  moment  has  the  darkness  been  so 
cleared  from  my  vision,  and  the  path  of  duty  so 
plain.  Oh,  do  not  refuse  me  the  bliss  which  will 
come  when  I  hear  you  say,  '  Wadswortli,  your  vow 
was  a  vow  joii  need  not  keep ;  I  will  be  once  more 
your  betrothed.'  Oh,  Nancy,  speak  ;  tell  me  those 
few  words.  If  you  are  silent  I  fall  back  and  am 
again  the  slave  of  a  wild  passion." 

"  Wadswortli,"  returned  the  young  woman,  after 
a  solemn  pause,  "  if  prayers  can  save  you,  you  will 
be^among  the  blest.  I  know  how  you  are  tempted. 
Think  not  that  I  grieve  because  you  once  made  me 
love  you.  Oh,  you  did — and  I  love  you  at  this 
moment,  and  to  the  last  hour  I  shall  love  no  other 
man.  But  I  gave  you  up  of  my  own  free  will.  No, 
no,  I  regret  not  the  past.  The  passion,  however, 
with  which — at  least  according  to  common  report — 
my  friend  Lydia  has  inspired  you,  may  bring  bitter 
fruit.  Oh,  Wadsw  orth,  there  is  misery  in  store  for 
you,  unless  you  bewai'e.  During  the  years  you  re- 
mained true  to  the  spirit  of  your  vow,  the  Almighty 
prospered  your  scheme  of  independence ;  the  people 
were  full  of  courage,  and  the  train-bands  of  many 


CHARTER  OAK.  213 

towns  besides  Hartford  declared  their  willingness 
to  follow  you.  But  lias  not  a  change  for  the  worse 
come  over  Connecticut  during  the  past  few  months? 
True,  you  h:ive  been  part  of  the  time  ill,  and  not 
able  to  fire  their  hearts.  But  even  before  your 
fever  w^ere  there  not  signs  of  evil  omen?  Oh, 
Wadsworth,  all  is  clear  to  me  now — you  had  lost 
faith  in  your  covenant  with  the  Almighty,  and  His 
hand  was  withdrawn  from  your  cause.  But  enough ; 
I  shall  say  no  more  ;  only  remember  that  the  Lord 
of  Hosts  cannot  be  trifled  with — unless  you  wish  a 
miserable  future,  stand  firm  to  the  promise  you 
made  Him.  It  is  not  yet  too  late;  we  still  hold  our 
charter,  and  the  people  may  yet  be  encouraged  to 
fight  for  independence.'* 

Here  she  again  begged  him  to  rise,  but  he  shook 
his  head,  and  impatiently  waved  her  away. 

Nancy  felt  tempted  to  remain,  for  he  appeared 
stupefied,  and  she  thought  it  might  not  be  right  to 
leave  him  in  such  a  condition.  But  when  presently 
Jie  spoke  and  bade  her  go,  she  knew  by  the  tone  of 
his  voice  that  she  must  obey  ;  so  with  an  anxious 
heart  she  said  good-bye,  and  slowly  retraced  her 
steps  towards  the  widow's  cottage — turning  every 
few  minutes  to  see  if  he  was  still  on  his  knees.  At 
length  she  distinguished  his  figure  moving  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  main  road,  and  after  watching  and 
satisfying  herself  that  he  was  going  towards  home, 


214  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

she  gave  a  sigh  of  reUef,  and  quickening  her  pace, 
was  soon  in  the  log  cabin  again. 


CHAPTEE    XXXVIII. 

The  summer  has  gone  by,  and  the  people  of 
Hartford  are  all  rejoicing  at  the  prospect  of  a  boun- 
tiful harvest,  save  Wadsworth.  The  school  land 
which  Andros  had  given  to  Nathaniel  Clark  as  a 
reward  for  his  faithful  services  is  covered  with  a 
crop  of  corn,  the  full  golden  ears  of  which  bear  tes- 
timony to  the  richness  of  the  soil ;  and  while  a  few 
of  the  inhabitants  declare  it  strange  that  Provi- 
dence should  thus  smile  on  Nancy's  father,  the  ma- 
jority, who  seem  to  have  lost  every  trace  of  their 
former  spirit,  do  not  express  any  opinion  about  the 
wrong  Sir  Edmund  committed  in  depriving  the 
town  of  these  fertile  acres,  nor  wonder  at  the  Lord 
making  them  yield  such  a  harvest.  But  Wads- 
worth's  land  presents  a  sad  appearance — in  wofiil 
contrast  to  all  the  other  farms.  The  weeds  have 
choked  the  corn  and  stopped  its  growth,  while  his 
rye  was  cut  so  late  that  half  the  grain  dropped  out 
under  the  sickle. 

In  vain  had  Adams  begged  him  to  arouse  from 
his  melancholv,  and  not  lose  all  heart.     Wadsworth 


CHARTER  OAK.  215 

would  only  sliake  his  head  and  turn  his  back  on 
tlie  faithful  scout.  He  seemed  to  be  anxiously 
counting  the  days  as  they  went  by  ;  and  now  that 
August  and  September  had  passed,  his  restless- 
ness increased.  He  was  only  calm  when  Lydia 
was  at  his  side  ;  then  indeed  a  change  would  come 
over  him,  and  his  countenance  brighten. 

"  The  people  have  abandoned  me,"  he  would  say 
to  the  girl ;  "  on  you  now  I  rely  ;  the  charter  will  be 
saved  through  you." 

Once  he  went  so  far  as  to  address  her  in  a  more 
familiar  strain,  and  uttered  words  which  she  thought 
it  wrong  to  approve  of,  unless  she  meant  to  allure 
him  with  false  hope — a  thing  we  know  she  was  far 
from  wishing  to  do. 

On  that  occasion  she  turned  from  him  with  such 
an  oftended  look  that  his  heart  sank.  "  If  she 
loves  me,"  he  murmured,  "  never  did  woman  more 
adroitly  conceal  it." 

Nevertheless,  he  hoped  on,  and  during  the  past 
few  weeks  had  several  times  been  on  the  point  of 
offering  himself,  yet  something  had  always  stopped 
him.  "  I  have  put  it  off  yeij  long,"  he  would  say 
to  himself,  "  and  Adams  laughs.  He  thinks  I  carry 
the  duties  of  a  host  too  far,  and  that  because  she  is 
under  my  roof  is  no  reason  for  not  pushing  my  ad- 
dresses with  greater  boldness.  Alas,  he  does  not 
know  the   truth  !"      No,   the  tavern-keeper   knew 


21 G  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

nothing  of  the  strange  meeting  between  his  chief 
and  Nancj  Clark  on  Wylljs'  hill.  The  solemn 
words  which  the  young  woman  had  spoken  that 
night  would  often  ring  in  Wadsworth's  ear,  and  it 
was  these  words  which  caused  him  still  to  hesitate, 
and  half  believe  that  Increase  Mather  might  ha>ve 
been  wrong  when  he  had  declared  that  his  vow  of 
celibacy  had  been  inspired  by  the  Evil  One. 

Yet  it  always  happened  that  whenever  the  Cap- 
tain of  the  train- band  felt  himself  yielding  to  this 
belief,  Lydia  would  a23pear  before  him,  shaking 
her  golden  curls — which  were  now  quite  long  again 
— as  if  to  woo  him  on  ;  and  then  he  would  groan, 
and  call  on  the  Almighty  to  throw  light  upon  his 
path.  "  What  must  I  do  ?  oh  Lord,  what  must  I 
do  ?  Bid  the  holy  man  speak  wisely  and  with  Thy 
sanction  ?  Am  I  yet  bound  by  my  vow  ?  If  not, 
then  strength,  strength,  oh  God  !  or  I  cannot  return 
to  my  first  love.  Throw  light,  too,  in  the  soul  of 
Nancy  Clark,  who  is  firm  in  the  belief  that  I  must 
keep  the  covenant." 

As  for  Charity  Crabtree,  she  was  as  much  be- 
fogged as  ever  about  Lydia ;  so  too  was  Adams ; 
so  too  was  Goody  Garlic,  who  once  had  taken  the 
irl  aside  and  implored  her  to  tell  whether  she  and 
the  British  ofiicer  were  betrothed. 

"  I  hope,  child,"  said  the  old  niirse,  "  no  harm 
will   come   from   that  kiss  he  once  gave  you.     TeH 


CHAm'ER    OAK.  217 

me,  dear,  why  you  hold  aloof  from  Mr.  Wadsworth? 
I  know  that  you  esteem  him.  But  hare  you  uo 
strouger  feeling  for  your  father's  friend  and  pro- 
tector? Where  is  your  gratitude?  Six  mouths 
,  under  his  roof,  and  still  only  a  guest !  Oh,  Lvdia, 
'Lydia.!" 

But  strong  as  was  her  affex^tion  for  Prudence,  on 
the  subject  of  Henry  Synnot  the  girl  never  would 
open  her  heart.  Colonel  Goffe,  however,  (from 
whom  she  kept  only  one  secret — the  coming  of  An- 
dres), knew  all  about  the  matter,  and  we  can  imagine 
the  anxiety  with  which  the  veteran  would  ask, 
"  what  news  from  Synnot  ?  what  news  from  Syn- 
not r 

How  Sir  Edmund  was  to  be  kept  from  discover- 
ing the  regicide  will  be  developed  in  the  next 
chapter.  We  will  here  merely  say  that  the  Pe- 
quot  had  paid  another  visit  to  the  widow  Bull's 
cabin  one  night  towards  the  last  of  September, 
and  there  unfolded  to  Lydia  a  plan  concocted  by 
Synnot  and  which  there  was  good  reason  to  believe 
would  prevent  Mr.  Clark  from  communicating  with 
His  Excellency  when  the  latter  should  arrive. 

October  was  now  drawing  to  a  close.  The  black- 
birds were  gathered  in  flocks,  and  so  were  the  rob- 
ins— making  ready  to  depart  for  a  warmer  clime. 
No  more  frogs  were  heard  croaking,  the  whippoor- 
wills  had  gone  from  Wyllys'  hill ;  and  in  the  morn- 


218  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

ing  there  was  a  frosty  feeling  about  the  an-,  which 
made  even  Israel  Barebones  wear  a  less  solemn 
look,  and  quicken  his  step  as  he  went  his  rounds, 
inquiring  into  the  spiritual  condition  of  the  people. 
This,  let  us  inform  the  reader,  he  found  quite  satis- 
factory, with  two  exceptions,  namely  :  Lydia  and 
Mrs.  Bull,  both  of  whom  still  refused  to  go  to  meet- 
ing, although  the  new  tithing-man  had  often  re- 
ported them  to  the  ruling-elder,  whose  conscience 
was  very  ill  at  ease,  and  who  had  intrusted  Mr. 
Adams  with  a  commission  to  procure  a  couple  of 
iron  cages  in  which  to  place  the  sabbath-breakers. 
But  tlie  cages,  for  some  reason  or  other,  had  not 
yet  made  their  appearance ;  the  tavern-keeper  hav- 
ing always  some  plausible  excuse  ready  for  not 
having  procured  them. 

One  chilly  evening  the  ruling  elder  might  have 
been  seen  resting  on  a  log  just  outside  the  widow 
Japheth's  cottage,  his  face  buried  in  his  hands,  and 
evidently  in  deep  meditation  ;  while  his  knees  were 
shaking,  and  his  teeth  chattered  as  though  he  was 
afflicted  with  ague. 

"If  I  wronged  him  in  any  way,"  he  murmured, 
"  Oh  Lord,  forgive  me  !  Poor  Jacob  !  poor  Ja- 
cob !" 

Near  by  stood  a  wagon-load  of  corn,  which  a 
redemptioner  was  busy  emptying  into  a  crib,  built 


CHARTER  OAK.  219 

at  the  ruling  elder's  expense  ;  and  this  load  of  corn 
was  only  one  of  many  gifts  he  had  made  the  widow 
Japheth,  never  telling  her  of  them,  however,  for 
Lydia  had  warned  him  that  the  bed-ridden  woman 
Vould  not  accept  of  his  charity. 

While  Mr.  Barebones  was  thus  seated  on  the  log, 
thinking  of  his  departed  friend  the  cobbler,  Wads- 
worth  approached,  and  having  wished  him  good 
evening,  inquired  after  the  widow  Japheth,  adding 
that  it  was  very  good  of  him  to  be  sending  her  so 
much  grain. 

"I  am  only  performing  a  Christian  duty,"  re- 
turned Mr.  Barebones,  waving  his  hand  ;  "  but  for 
the  poor  who  dwell  amongst  us,  we  that  have  plenty 
of  worldly  store  would  have  our  hearts  turn  to 
flint.  A  miserly  spirit  can  only  be  discovered  when 
poverty  calls  on  us  for  a  mite."  Then  after  a  pause  : 
*'I  am  much  concerned,"  he  went  on,  '*  about  that 
young  woman  who  is  your  guest,  and  who  is  now 
inside  with  Mrs.  Japheth.  Charitable  she  certainly 
appears,  and  the  widow  likes  her,  and  so  did  poor 
Jacob  ;  but  she's  a  wayward  creature,  has  baffled 
all  your  attempts  to  make  her  own  the  covenant, 
yet  talks  of  her  host  in  such  warm  strains  that 
I  cannot  but  believe  there  is  something  more  'twixt 
her  and  you  than  mere  respect  and  esteem — eh? 
Tell  me,  now,  are  ye  not  betrothed  ?" 

At  this  question  vVadsworth's  brow  contracted, 


220  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

and  he  was  on  the  poiut  of  giving  a  rude  answer 
when  the  ruUng  elder  continued  :  "  and. what  a  bold 
thing  she  is ;  why,  as  she  passed  me  a  while  ago, 
I  ventured  to  address  her  a  few  words  on  religion, 
but  instead  of  listening  as  a  sinner  ought,  she  up- 
braided me  for  troubling  myself  about  other  folks. 
Oh,  Captain,  I  am  glad  that  no  one  but  yonder  re- 
demptioner  and  Mrs.  Bull  heard  the  clatter  of  her 
tongue,  or  I  should  have  been  obliged,  in  order  to 
prevent  scandal,  to  have, had  her  ducked." 

"  Well,  I  have  done  my  best,"  said  Wadsworth, 
whose  feelmgs  towards  the  ruling  elder  were  sojne- 
what  modified  by  the  knowledge  that  he  was  only 
speaking  truth  about  Lydia,  Avhose  conduct  had 
certainly  given  an  infinite  amount  of  scandal. 
*'But  it  has  been  all  in  vain  ;  and  yet. I  verily  be- 
lieve she  is  a  godly  young  woman." 

Here,  Mr.  Barebones  looked  up  with  a  faint 
smile  on  his  hps.  "  Aye,  sir,"  he  continued,  "love 
throws  dust  in  the  sharpest  eyes.  She  has  blinded 
you  ;  beware  lest  you  become  not  yourself  lukewarm 
in  matters  of  religion." 

'  Wadsworth  could  stand,  no  more  such  language  ; 
and  turning  away  he  entered  the  widow  Japheth's 
abode,  half  inclined  to  share  Lydia's  opinion  of 
the  shivering  old  man  on  the  log,  who  seemed  to 
take  a  pleasure  in  worrying  himself  about  other 
people's  souls. 


CHARTER   OAK.  221 

The  room  in  wliicli  Wad^vvorth  presently  found 
bimself  was  much  changed  since  he^  had  last  entered 
it — on  the  occasion  of  Mr.  Japheth's  death.  The 
walls  had  been  newly  white-washed,  and  repaired 
in  several  places  where  the  plaster  had  dropped  out ; 
Tommy  and  his  sister  were  rejoicing  in  new  clothes  ; 
the  glass  in  the  windows  was  much  cleaner  than 
formerly ;  while  a  new  lamp,  which  Lydia  wais  in 
the  act  of  lighting,  stood  upon  a  table  fresh  from 
the  carpenter's  hand — and  for  all  these  improve- 
ments the  ruling  elder  was  chiefly  to  be  thanked, 
although  Nancy  and  her  friend  had  done  something 
towards  them. 

But  what  struck  Wadsworth  more  than  anything 
else  was  the  appearance  of  the  bed-ridden  woman, 
who  really  seemed  to  have  grown  fatter  since  June. 

As  he  drew  near  the  cot,  Mrs.  Bull  and  Lydia 
appeared  embarrassed,  and  the  girl  bit  her  lip. 

"  Oh,  didn't  I  tell  you  it  was  Captain  Joe  shovel- 
ling the  corn  into  my  new  crib  ?"  said  the  invalid. 
''Ah,  Mr.  Wadsworth" — here  she  grasped  his  handi 
— "may  the  Almighty  reward  you  for  all  you  have 
done  for  me !" 

The  Captain  was  about  to  undeceive  her,  and 
render  justice  to  whom  justice  was  due,  when  Lydia 
pulled  his  sleeve  and  gave  him   an  imploring  look. 

The  girl  dreaded  the  effect  on  the  ])ed-ridden 
woman,  should  the  latter  discover  what  Mr.   Bare- 


222  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

bones  was  at  that  very  moment  doing  for  her  ;  be- 
sides the  mortification  of  being  caught  in  an  un- 
truth, for  she  had  denied  that  it  was  the  ruling 
elder  who  had  brought  the  grain,  while  at  the 
same  time  she  had  assured  the  invalid  that  it  had 
not  been  sent  by  Wadsworth. 

"  May  the  Almighty  bless  you  a  thousand  times," 
repeated  Mrs.  Japheth,  fixing  her  hollow  eyes  upon 
the  Captain  -"  you  have  done  so  much  for  me." 

Wadsworth,  who  had  understood  the  girl's  glance, 
said  nothing ;  but  when  Mrs.  Japheth  had  released 
his  hand  he  grasped  Lydia's,  and  pressed  it  warml3^ 
Never  but  once  before  had  he  ventured  to  take 
such  a  liberty,  and  then  she  had  drawn  her  hand 
away  and  shown  not  a  little  displeasure.  But  now, 
for  some  reason  or  other,  the  regicide's  daughter 
allowed  him  to  hold  it  without  any  sign  of  reproof ; 
and  yet  she  was  far  from  intending  to  give  him 
false  hope.  Oh,  what  bliss  filled  his  heart  during 
the  next  few  minutes  !  How  the  fire  flashed  from 
beneath  his  heavy  eyebrows  !  Mrs.  Bull  thought  a 
great  many  things,  and  looked  wonderingly  at  the 
girl,  while  Mrs.  Japheth  made  up  her  mind  that  al- 
though it  might  be  wrong  for  him  to  forget  Nancy 
Clark,  yet  that  he  had  chosen  aw  excellent  help- 
mate. At  length,  the  sea  captain's  widow  slowly 
rose  h'om  her  chair,  and  after  having  kissed  the  in- 
valid, told  her  it  was  time  to  be  going  home.     "  I 


CHAETER  OAK.  223 

left  Miss  Nancy,"  she  said,  "  to  look  after  the  fire 
and  prepare  supper,  and  now  I  must  be  going." 

The  poor  woman  begged  her  to  stay  a  while. 
"These  evenings  are  so  lonely,"  she  sighed — '*  oli, 
so  lonely !"  But  Mrs.  Bull  shook  her  head  and 
promising  soon  to  repeat  her  visit,  moved  towards 
the  door.  Lydia  also  bade  Mrs.  Japheth  good 
evening,  and  at  the  same  time  made  a  faint  attempt 
to  free  her  hand  fi*om  Wadsworth.  But  the  latter 
held  it  in  his  firm  grasp,  and  scarcely  nodding  to 
the  sick  woman,  accompanied  the  girl  and  Mrs. 
Bull  out  of  the  house.  "  Now  or  never !"  he  said 
to  himself.  "  I  must — I  will — I  can  no  longer  be 
tortured  by  uncertainity." 

The  dame  requested  Lydia  not  to  walk  so  fast, 
and  begged  the  support  of  her  arm ;  but  Wads- 
worth  hurried  her  along  the  road,  his  countenance 
burning  with  intensest  passion  ;  while  the  ruling 
elder,  as  they  went  by,  smiled,  and  asked  of  God 
to  give  them  a  blessing.  They  had  got  perhaps 
fifty  paces  from  the  widow,  when  the  Captain 
stopped,  and  was  about  to  speak  and  tell  the  regi- 
cide's daughter  how  much  he  loved  her,  when 
Nancy  Clark  came  running  up. 

"  Lydia,  Lydia  !"  she  cried,  "  Christian  has  ar- 
rived ;  you  must  hasten  at  once  to  the  house." 

*'  Oh,  he  brings  news  from  Boston  !"  exclaimed 
Lydia,  "  I  must  leave  you,  Mr.  Wadsworth  ;  but  if 


224  EOMANOE   OF   THE 

there  is  anything  of  importance,  I  will  return  with 
out  delay.  Bemeriiber  this  is  the  25th  of'  October, 
and  Andros  may  soon  be  here." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  muttered  her  host,  a  dark  look 
clouding  his  face  ;  "  it  always  happens  so ;  always 
some  excuse  ;  whenever  I  want  you  to  ■  stay,  you 
leave  me." 

"  But  I  must  go,  sir— I  nrtust,"  eontiisued  Lydia, 
freeing  herself  from  his  grasp,  and  hastening  to  join 
her  friend;  "  but  I  will  be  back  in  a  little  while." 
As  she  left' his  side,  Wadsworth  ground  his  teeth. 

"  'Tis  not  the  first  time,"  he  murmured,  **  Nancy 
Clark  has  baffled  me.  She  is  sure  to  appear  at  the 
wrong  moment." 

Presently  the  angry  look  passed  away,  and  he 
groaned  and  struck  his  hand  upon  his  breast; 
"  What  a  mystery,  what- a  mystery  !"  be  said.  "  I 
seem  as  if  between  two  spirits  who  are  ever  con^ 
tending  for  the  mastery  over  me.  Was  Increase 
Mather  right,  when  he  let  loose  the  floodgates  of 
my  passion  by  telling  me  I  need  not  keep  mpvow? 
Oh,  Nancy  Clark,  Nancy  Clark!" 

Thus  agitated  and  wondering  at  himself,  he 
turned  his  steps  towards  the  north  end  of  the  town 
and  sauntered  slowly  homeward;  while  Lydia,  in 
her  anxiety  to  meet  Christian,  did  not  wait  for  the 
widow  Bull  to  overtake  her,  nor  even  once  look 
round  to  see  what' had  become  of  her  host. 


CHARTER  OAK.  225 

"  I  will  be,  glad  when  these  exciting  times-  are 
over,"  she  said  to  Nancy  ;  "  for  I  really  think  they 
will  drive  Captain  Joe  distracted.  Bis  manner  ol 
late  has  become  stranger  than  ever  ;  I  almost  wiak 
I  did  hot  -  live  under  his  roof.  The  very  sight  o 
him  often  makes  me  shudder,  for  it  recalls  a  singu- 
lar incident*  which  happened  in  my  bedroom  a  few 
montlis  ago  ;  I  believe- 1  never  told  you  of  it?" 

"No;  what  was  it?" 

"  Well,  you  must  know,  one  nighti  I  awoke  and 
found  him  sitting  in  a  chair  at  the  foot  of  my  bed, 
at  work  on  his  map  o£  Nortli  America.  He  seemed 
not  to  notice  me,  and  yet  his  eyes  were  once  turned 
full  upon  me;  but  it  was  a  dead  man's  stare,  and 
it  took  all  niy  courage  not  to  scream.  At  length 
he  left  the  room  almost  as  softly  as  a  ghost  might 
have  done.  He  is  a  great  man  ;  but  he  needs  our 
prayed'S.  I  sometimes  believe  he  is  possessed. 
Those  dark,  cavernous  eyes  of  his  are  like  no  other 
eyes  I  have  ever  seen." 

Nancy  listened  attentively,  but  said  nothing, 
about  her  own  experience  one  night  on  Wyllys' 
hill.  She  had '  often  thought,  however,  of  her 
strange  meeting  with  Wadsworth  under  the  ancient 
oak,  and  since  then  had  prayed  for  him  more 
fervently  than  ever. 

Presently  they  reached  the  cabin,  where  they 
found  the  Indian  ravenously  devouring  the  supper, 


226  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

which  Nanc}'  had  hoped  he  might  not  touch  until 
thej  arrived. 

**  Now,  Christian,"  said  the  latter,  "  let  us  heai 
all  jou  have  to  say — "  for  the  youth,  when  he  had 
first  arrived,  had  refused  to  give  her  a  word  of  the 
news.  At  once  he  threw  down  his  knife  and  fork, 
and  greeting  Lydia  with  a  faint  smile,  told  them 
he  had  brought  a  letter  from  Sir  Edmund  Andros 
to  Governor  Treat;  and  added,  it  would  not  be 
man}'  days  before  the  British  troops  would  enter 
Hartford.  Here  he  produced  the  following  letter, 
which  the  girl  eagerly  perused. 

"Governor  Andhos  to  Governor  Treat. 

"  Boston  October  22d,  1687. 
"Sir— This  is  to  acquajnt  you  that  I  have  received  effectual 
orders  and  commands  from  his  Majesty  for  Connecticut  to  be 
annexed  to  this  government  (in  a  very  gracious  manner),  with 
particular  regard  and  favor  to  yourself.  And  resolve  to  send  oi* 
be  myself  ac  Hurtfoid  about  the  end  of  next  week,  pursuant 
thereunto,  to  meet  you  and  such  gentlemen  as  you  shall  think  fit 
for  his  Majesty's  said  service,  which  I  will  not  doubt  to  your  sa,- 
tisiaction  and  other  his  Majesty's  loyal  subjects  in  your  parts. 
"  And  remain,  sir,  your  very  affectionate  friend, 

"  E.  Andros. 
"  To  the  Honorable  Governor  Treat."* 

"  He  will  come,"  said  Christian,  when  Lydia  had 
finished  the  letter,  "  by  way  of  Woodcocks— a  w^ell- 
known  station  on  the  old  post  road  to  Providence. 
From  Providence  he  will  follow  the  principal  route 
to  New  London,  and  thence  he  is  to  strike  across 
*  Conn.  Rec.  iii.  387. 


dMARtEn  oAit.  22? 

tlie  country  to  the  Wethersfield  ferry,  which,  as 
you  know,  is  not  many  miles  below  here,  on  the 
Connecticut  river." 

The  Indian  now  turned  his  attention  once  more 
to  the  platter  in  front  of  him;  and  knowing  that  the 
poor  fellow  was  hungry,  the  girl  left  him  to  finish 
his  repast,  in  the  meanwhile  engaging  in  serious 
conversation  with  Nan^y  as  to  the  best  mode  of 
carrjnng  ont  the  plan  devised  by  the  latter  for 
saving  the  charter, 

"  Well,  well,"  ^aid  Lydia,  ''  bcifore  nine  o'clock 
bell  rings,  I  will  go  with  Christian  to  Mr.  Wads- 
worth's  and  hear  what  the  Captain  has  to  suggest. 
I  am  confident,  however,  that  your  apprehensions 
about  my  father's  safety  are  groundless,  for  Andros 
is  still  in  complete  ignorance  of  his  hiding-place. 
Yet  there  may  be  danger  when  Sir  Edmund  arrives, 
for  then  — ." 

Here  her  friend  blushed,  while  Lydia  did  not  fin- 
ish the  sentence. 

"  Alas !"  sighed  Nancy,  "  a  trying  time  is  coming 
for  me.  I  love  my  parent ;  would  that  I  could 
bring  him  over  to  our  side  !  I've  a  mind  to  go  and 
throw  myself  at  his  feet  and  beg  him  not  to  betray 
Colonel  Goffe." 

Lydia  shook  her  head.  "  Leave  that  to  me,"  she 
said ;  "  I  will  manage  things  so  that  my  father  will 
not  be  disturbed  in  his  retreat,  nor  shall  any  kodj 


22d  ROMANCE  OF  T^t 

injure  Mr.  Clark.  I  will  stand  between  liim  and 
his  enemies  for  your  sake."  At  these  words  Nancy 
threw  her  arms  around  Ljdia's  neck  and  wept  tears 
of  thankfuliless. 

"Bless  3'ou,  bless  you,"  she  sobbed;  "  I  do  not 
ask  how  you  are  going  to  accomplish  it ;  but  I 
know  you  are  bold  and  skilful].  I  trust  my  father 
to  you,  feeling  confident  neither  he  nor  your  own 
parent  will  be  molested." 

At  this  point  Mrs.  Bull  entered  and  put  a  stop 
to  the  conversation  by  scolding  the  regicide's 
daughter  for  having  so  rudely  deserted  her  and 
forced  her  to  walk  home  alone.  The  dame  was 
still  growling  when  Christian  started  off  to  give 
Governor  Treat  the  letter  which  he  had  brought ; 
nor  was  she  entirely  restored  to  her  usual  good- 
hiimor  when  he  returned  to  accompany  Lydia  to 
Wadsworth's  abode. 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

As  Lydia,  aecompaDied  by  the  Pequot,  passed 
along  Main  street  on  her  way  to  Wadsworth's,  she 
met  Israel  Barebones  and  Mr.  Philbrick,  who  both 
wondered  at  seeing  her  in  such  company,  and  when 
f^o  had  gone  by  them  the  youth  informed  her  thiit 


CHARTER   OAK,  229 

on  his '  way  from  Governor  Treat's  mansion  the 
same  couple  had  stopped  him  and  asked  his  busi- 
ness. Nor  was  Miss  Crabtree  less  astonished  than 
theauling  elder  and  his  friend,  when  she  saw  them 
entering'the  house  together.  But  without  heeding 
the  dame's  staring  eyes,  Lj'Jia  made  her  host  a 
sign  that  she -wanted  to  speak  with  him  in  the 
library,  and  likewise  beckoned  to  Adams,  who  was 
seated  on  the  hearth  smoking  liis  pipe. 

As  soon  as  the. door. of  the  study  closed,  she 
repeated  in  as  few  woi*ds  as  possible  the  news  which 
Christian  had  brought,  giving  the  route  Andres 
would  take  in  order  to  reach  Hartfoi'd ;  then  went 
on  to  explain  the  only  way  which  remained  for 
them  to  rescue  the  charter. 

"Since  it  cannot  be  done  by  force,"  she  said, 
"  the  people  having  lost  all  courage,  I  Avill  undertake 
to  snatch  it  from  his  Excellency-,  when  it  is  placed 
before  him  on  the  table  of  the  court  chamber." 

Adams  and  Wadsworth  could  not  repress  a  smile, 
as,  for  ^  the  first  time,  they  had  tliis  novel  plan 
unfolded  to  them. 

"  It  will  be  a  daring  attempt,  quoth  the  latter, 
and  one  which  could  only  have  originated  in  your 
fertile  brain.  Miss  Goife." 

"Nay,  sir,"  re  urned  Lydia,  " Nancy Glark  sug- 
gested it;  and  if  we  succeed,  all  thanks  must  be 
given  to  her." 


230  ROMANCE   OE   THE 

At  the  mention  of  Nancy's  name  a  troubled  look 
passed  over  Wadswortli's  countenance.  "Well," 
said  Adams,  "  I  am  willing  to  try  anything  rather 
than  have  the  charter  taken  from  us.  But 
the  old  soldier  lying  in  the  room  above,  help- 
less from  rheumatism,  who  is  to  save  him  ?  For 
granting  that  Andros  has  not  been  told  of  his 
whereabouts — a  thing,  however,  which  I  greatly 
doubt— will  not  Mr.  Clark  reveal  it  ?" 

Lydia  had  expected  that  the  tavern-keeper  or 
Wadsworth  would  say  something  about  Nancy's 
father,  and,  consequently,  was  ready  with  a  plan 
which  would  prevent  the  latter  from  communicating 
with  Sir  Edmund. 

"  Aye,"  said  her  host,  just  as  she  was  about  to 
speak,  "  that  villain  will  no  doubt  betray  us ;  but 
by  the  Almighty,  I  will  leave  my  dead  body  on  the 
threshold,  before  any  one  crosses  it  to  arrest  the 
regicide." 

"  And  I  propose,"  said  Adams,  touching  his  dag- 
ger and  cutting  short  the  words  on  Lydia's  lips, 
"  I  propose  to  make  Clark  exchange  worlds,  ha,  ha, 
ha  !  and  I  don't  believe  any  of  you  could  suggest 
an  easier  method  of  getting  rid  of  a  pest." 

"  Perhaps  not,"  exclaimed  the  girl,  looking  bold- 
ly at  him  ;  "  but  while  Lydia  Goffe  is  Lydia  Goffe 
you  shall  not  harm  Nancy's  father.  Oh,  Adams, 
you  and  I  were  good  friends  once  on  a  time  ;  do 


CHARTER   OAK.  231 

not  scowl  SO,  but  listen  and  I  will  tell  you  what  we 
may  do." 

"  She  is  right,"  interrupted  Wadsworth  ;  "  let 
your  dagger  alone.  I'm  as  fond  as  you  of  a  fair 
and  open  fight,  but  I  do  not  like  murder." 

"Well,  I  propose,"  said  Lydia,  "to  send  Chris- 
tian to  him  with  a  mest^age  purporting  to  come 
fi'om  a  member  of  Sir  Edmund's  staff,  and  in  this 
message  Mr.  Clark  will  be  told  that  Andros  is  going 
to  approach  Hartford  by  way  of  Windsor,  instead 
of  coming  up  from  the  Wethersfield  ferry.  It  will 
likewise  state  that  such  a  route  has  been  chosen  in 
order  to  take  the  settlement  by  surprise.  The 
Pequot  will  accompany  him  to  Windsor  and  keep 
him  there  until  Andros  is  on  his  way  back  to 
Boston  ;  and  as  Mr.  Clark  believes  that  the  youth 
is  one  of  those  who  have  been  bribed  into  the  ser- 
vice of  Sir  Edmund,  he  will  readily  fall  into  the 
trap.     What  think  you  of  this,  Mr.  Wadswortli  ?" 

"  It  is  good,"  replied  the  Captain,  "  provided  the 
Indian  does  his  duty." 

At  these  words  Christian's  eyes  flashed,  and 
drawing  his  tomahawk :  "  What  my  flower  wants 
me  to  do,  I  do,"  he  exclaimed,  "  and  if  any  one 
try  to  hinder  me,  let  him  beware  !" 

Here  Adams,  who  could  not  help  thinking  the 
youth  spoke  thus  in  order  to  deter  him  from  mur- 
dering Mr,  Clark,  broke  in  with  a  derisive  laugh, 


232  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

wliieli  made  the  girl's  blood  ruu  cold  ;  and  turning 
to  her  host:  "You  have  heard,"  she  said,  "my 
plan ;  I  rely  on  you  to  see  that  nothing  make  it 
fail." 

"  I  will  do  my  best,"  returned  Wadsworth,  "  1 
will.  Christian  put  back  your  weapon  ;  and  you, 
Adams,  let  your  dagger  alone." 

Prudence  and  Miss  Crabtree  were  now  summoned 
to  take  part  in  the  consultation,  which  lasted  another 
hour,  during  which  many  methods  were  suggested 
for  saving  the  charter  ;  and  in  the  end  it  was  agreed 
that 'Wadsworth  should  wait  not  far  from  the  tavern 
door,  until  Lydia  should  bring  him  the  instrument, 
which  she  was  to  snatch  from  the  table  the  instant 
it  would  be  placed  before  his  Excellency — Adams, 
Tom  Hubbard  and  a  few  others  standing  by,  well 
armed  and  ready  to  open  a  passage  way  to  the 
staircase  leading  from  the  court  chamber.  While 
if,  as  they  hoped,  the  General  Court  should  meet  in 
the  evening,  then  dame  Garlic,  Miss  Crabtree, 
Nancy  Clark  and  Dorothy  Philbrick  were  suddenly 
to  extinguish  the  lights,  after  which  >  the  regicide's 
daughter  might  without  difficulty  effect  her  purpose. 

With  this  understanding  the  conference  broke 
up,  and  Adams,  mounting  the  Captain's  swift  Nar- 
ragansett  pacer,  started  off  on  a  reconnoissance — de- 
termined to  push  as  far  as  he  could  on  the  road  to 


CftARTER   OAK.  2S3 

New   London,    and   satisfy   himself  of  the   move- 
ments of  Sir  Edmund. 


CHAPTEE  XL. 

Four  days  had  elapsed  since  Mad  Adams  had 
started  on  his  reconnoitering  tour,  and  Wadsworth, 
seated  by  Lydia's  side  on  one  of  the  benches  in  the 
chimney,  was  speaking  about  him  and  wondering 
why  he  had  not  yet  returned,  while  ever  and  anon 
the  Captain  would  give  the  girl  a  strange  look,  then 
press  his  hand  upon  his  brow.  "The  hour  is 
approaching,"  he  would  say  to  himself,  "  when  I 
will  know  my  fate  ;  I  shall  not  again  be  thwarted 
by  Nancy  Olark.  The  moment  Lydia  brings  me 
the  charter  I  will  speak  out  all  that  my  soul  has  so 
long  yearnied  to  tell  her.  I  am  placed  between  her 
and  despair — no,  no,  she  will  not  refuse  me.*' 
They  had  the  house  all  to  themselves — -Miss  Crab- 
tree  and  Prudence  having  retired  at  the  sound  of 
the  nine  o'clock  bell,  in  order  to  be  up  bright  and 
early  next  morning,  the  Sabbath — and  as  they  sat 
by  each  other's  side,  Lydia's  heart  throbbed  to 
think  how  30on  she  might  meet  Henry  Synnot; 
while  at  the  same  time  she  could  not  help  feeling 
anxious  about  the  success  of  Nancy's  plan  for  res- 
cuing the  charter.     "  I  will  do  my  part,"  she  said 


^M  ROMANCE  OF  Trfli 

to  herself.  "  Pray  God,  tlie  corn-age  of  my  friends 
may  not  fail  at  the  critical  moment." 

And  so  they  remained  conversing  together,  and 
anon  soliloquizing,  until  the  clock  on  the  cupboard 
sounded  twelve,  when  just  as  the  last  stroke  died 
away,  they  were  startled  by  the  clatter  of  a  horse's 
hoofs  along  the  road. 

Wadsworth  sprang  to  his  feet,  so  did  Lydia,  and 
both  hastened  to  the  door,  expecting  to  find  that 
Adams  had  arrived.  Nor  were  they  disappointed  : 
on  gaining  the  threshold,  they  found  the  honest 
fellow  in  the  act  of  dismounting ;  then  as  he  led 
Puritan  towards  the  stable — "  great  news,"  he 
cried,  "  great  news  ;  I'll  be  back  in  a  moment  and 
tell  it  to  you." 

"  Well,  make  haste,"  said  Lydia,  "  do  not  keep 
us  in  suspense."  With  this,  she  returned  to  the 
fireside  and  anxiously  awaited  his  appearance. 

"Yes,  great  news!"  repeated  Simon,  when  pre- 
sently he  burst  into  the  room.  "  Andros  is  resting 
his  troops  twenty  miles  below  the  Wethersfleld 
ferry,  and  I  am  confident  he  will  not  arrive  unti^ 
the  sabbath  sun  has  gone  down.  He  has  met  thus 
far  no  opposition  ;  nor  does  he  expect  any  when 
he  reaches  here."* 

They  now  made  Adams  take  a  place  near  the 

*For  account  of  Andros'  friendly  reception  in  Hartford,  see 
Palfrey  Vol.  Ill,  page  542. 


CHARTER  OAit.  ^35 

hearth,  Wadsworth  filling  his  pipe  with  tobacco 
while  Lydia  got  some  supper  ready,  and  when  the 
tavern-keeper  had  done  smoking,  he  ate  a  hearty 
meal  of  cold  victuals  —it  being  already  the  Sabbath 
nothing  warm  could  be  provided — and  as  the  girl 
bustled  about,  she  felt  little  disposed  to  sleep,  al- 
though it  was  very  late..  On  the  contrary,  she  felt 
strangely  wakeful  and  uneasy,  and  when  at  length 
she  did  retire,  she  prayed  God  not  to  let  her  own 
courage  fail — the  next  few  days,  would  be  trying 
ones. 

The  night  was  wild  and  gusty,  the  nuts  from 
the  walnut  tree  came  pattering  down  on  the  roof, 
with  a  harsh  sound ;  the  chimney,  which  passed 
through  her  bedroom,  groaned  as  if  it  were  full  of 
evil  spirits ;  while  the  *  dead  man's  seat,'  which 
she  had  pushed  into  the  farthest  corner,  looked  as 
if  it  were  approaching  her  bed. 

*'  Upon  my  word,"  said  Lydia,  as  she  held  the 
candle  towards  it,  "  the  chair  certainly  moved  a 
moment  ago !" 

Her  slumbers  during  the  next  few  hours  were 
several  times  broken,  she  could  not  tell  by  what, 
and  she  rejoiced,  when  at  length  she  heard  the 
watchman's  bell  waking  the  good  people  of  Hart- 
ford. 

The  day  opened  with  a  cloudy  sky,  and  the 
profound  quiet  which  reigned  through  the  town, 


286-  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

told  plainly  enough  that  it  was  the  Sabbath  ;  not  a 
dog  barked,  not  a  goose  cackled,  and  you  might 
have  susposed  that  Tom  Hubbard  had  never 
whistled  in  all  his  life,  so  demure  was  his  counten- 
ance. As  usual,  Lydia  refrained  from  going  to 
meeting  with  the  rest  of  the  household  ;  and  when 
the  door  had  closed  behind  Charity  Crabtree— who 
always  lingered  to  get  a  last  view  of  her — she  sum- 
moned Christian,  who  had  been  sitting  up  stairs 
with  her  father  for  more  than  an  hour,  amusing  the 
old  gentleman  wiih  accounts  of  Boston. 

"You  once,"  she  began,  motioning  the  youth 
to  a  seat  near  her,  "did  me  a  good  service,  when 
you  stole  Mad  Adams'  sword  and  pistol.  I  want 
you  now,  to  help  me  again  ;  the  case  is  very  urgent." 
V-ith  this,  she  went  on  to  unfold  her  scheme  for 
preventing  a  meeting  between  Nancy's  father  and 
Andros,  and  ended  by  begging  Christian  to  go  at 
once  to  Clark's  house  and  tell  him  that  Sir  Edmund 
might  be  expected  within  twenty -four  hours  ;  but 
that  instead  of  entering  the  town  from  the  south, 
he  would  approach  by  way  of  Windsor,  so  as  to 
take  the  inhabitants  by  surprise,  and  that  at  this  last 
named  settlement  he  desired  Mr.  Clark  to  join  him. 
"  Tell  him  also,"  she  added,  "that  Governor  Treat 
will  mislead  the  train -band  by  sending  them  to 
meet  his  Excellency  at  the  Wefehersfiold  ferry,  as 
he  fears,  should  they  encounter  the  red-coats,  their 


rii.u;TKH  OAK.  237 

old  coma  go  might  revive,  and  ^.adsworth  might 
incite  them  to  opposition.  Stay  you  at  Windsor 
^yith  Mr.  Clark  until  all  danger  is  over  of  his  meet- 
ing Sir  Edmund ;  you  may  then  leave  him  to 
come  back  alone.  Oh,  the  wretch  !  if  he  were  not 
the  father  of  my  friend,  I  might  not  be  so  scrupu- 
lous of  his  safety." 

Having  faithfully  promised  to  carry  out  her 
wishes,  the  Pequot  left  the  house,  and  as  nearly  all 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town  were  assembled  in.  their 
respective  places  of  worship,  he  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing Mr.  Clark's  abode  without  being  stopped  by 
anybody.  But,  quiet  as  was  the  forenoon  of  this 
Sabbath  day,  during  the  afternoon  there  was  more 
life  and  animation  in  Hartford,  than  was  approved 
of  by  Israel  Barebones  and  other  scrupulous  ob- 
servers of  the  covenant.  The  Governor,  and  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor, the  assistants,  and  deputies,  who 
were  holding  the  October  session  of  the  General 
Court,  mingled  freely  with  the  people  and  dis- 
cussed the  subject  uppermost  in  everybody's  mind, 
viz :  the  coming  of  Andros.  The  great  majority 
agreed  that  nothing  should  be  done  to  oppose  him  ; 
the  charter  of  Massachusets,  had  been  declared 
null  and  void  ;  what  then  could  prevent  theirs  from 
being  sacrificed  ?  Mr.  Clark,  however,  did  not 
show  himself  on  the  green,  whereat  everybody  wou- 


238  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

dered  for  they  knew  the  deep  interest  he  took  in 
in  the  king's  cause. 

"  I  saw  him,"  said  Mad  Adams,  looking  sharply 
at  Lydia,  "  leave  his  house  not  many  minutes  ago, 
accompanied  by  Christian.  They  took  that  direc- 
tion," here  he  pointed  towards  the  north. 

"  Ah,  Miss  Lydia,  Miss  Lydia,  can  you  trust  th« 
Pequot  ?  Has  he  not  been  bribed  by  Mr.  Clark  ? 
On  what  evil  errand  have  they  set  out  ?" 

To  this  the  girl  made  no  response  ;  but  inwardly 
rejoiced  to  know  that  Nancy's  father  was  already 
on  his  way  to  Windsor,  and  that  so  far  her  plan 
was  working  well. 

Israel  Barebones,  in  a  low  tone,  urged  his  hear- 
ers strictly  to  enforce  the  religious  laws  of  the 
colony,  which  he  did  not  believe  Sir  Edmund  would 
alter. 

"  He  is  an  anglican,"  he  said  to  the  group  assem- 
bled round  him,  "  mayhap,  as  some  think,  a  Papist 
in  disguise ;  but  if  we  submit  to  him  in  political 
matters  he  will  respect  our  faith ;  and  our  ducking- 
stools,  whipping-posts,  stocks,  and  I  may  add  our 
cages  for  sabbath-breakers— of  which  I  am  shortly 
expecting  a  couple — will  be  allowed  to  stand  as 
warnings  to  evil-doers,  and  precious  objects  in  the 
sight  of  the  Lord.  But  now,  brethren,"  he  added, 
"  calm  your  excitement ;  1  like  not  this  buzzing  of 
voices.     Have  ye  forgotten  it  is  the  sabbath?" 


CHABTER  OAK.  239 

There  was  a  scowl  on  Adams'  face  as  he  listened 
to  these  remarks,  but  he  did  not  open  his  lips,  and 
politely  bowed  his  head,  when  once  the  speaker 
accosted  him  as  Mr.  Adams. 

"  Never  mind,"  he  said  to  himself,  clenching  his 
fist,  "  the  day  of  retribution,  although  a  long  way 
off,  is  coming ;  and  then,  Israel  Barebones,  I  shall 
pay  you  for  all  this."  So  hardened  had  the  con- 
science of  the  i3ublican  become  that  he  did  not 
scruple  to  tell  the  goodman  that  the  cages  had  not 
only  been  sent  for,  but  would  arrive  on  the  mor- 
row ;  and  when  Mr.  Barebones  rolled  up  his  eyes 
and  exclaimed,  "  Praise  the  Lord,"  Adams  respond- 
ed, "Amen." 

The  subject  which,  next  to  the  approach  of  the 
British  troops,  was  most  ardently  canvassed  this 
afternoon,  was  the  appearance  of  Lydia  the  evening 
before  in  company  with  Andros'  messenger,  whom 
several  had  recognized  as  the  same  young  Indian 
that  had  once  been  expelled  from  the  town. 

"I  warrant  you,"  quoth  Mr.  Philbrick,  "the 
youth  had  something  to  tell  her  about  that  officer 
w*hom,  a  few  months  ago,  she  openly  accosted  in 
our  presence.  Depend  upon  it,  brethren,  she  needs 
praying  for." 

Thus  the  day  wore  on.  Nor  was  any  change 
made  in  the  plan  for  rescuing  the  charter,  save  that 
Tom  Hubbard  and  his  sweetheart,  Dorothy  Phil- 


240  ItOMANOE   OF  THE 

brick,  were  let  into  the  secret  and  asked  to  lend 
their  aid  in  carrying  it  out — which,  of  course,  they 
did  not  refuse,  being  both  as  daring  as  they. were 
saucy. 

That  night  Lydia's  rest  was  scarcely  less  broken 
than  on  the  previous  one.  The  same  high  wind 
was;  blowing  around  the  house  ;  the  chimney  moan- 
ed, and  the  walnuts  again  pattered  on  the  roof. 
Monday,  October  31st,  she  was  up  bright  and  early. 
The  sky  was  overcast,  a  storm  seemed  to  be  brew- 
ings and  as  she  stood  at  the  doorway,  by  the  side 
af  Wadsworth :  "'Tis  just  theday,"  she  said,  "to 
try  our  hearts.  There  will  be  no  sun  to  cheer  us. 
Those  clouds  seem  to  oppress  me,  but  oh,  sir,  with 
God's  help,  the  charter  will  be  saved." 

While  they  were  thus  conversing,  severa,l  riaem- 
bers  of  the  train-band  approached  and  mrged  their 
chief  to  put  himself  at  their  head. 

"  We're  going,"  they  said,  "to  meet  Andros  and 
show  him  that  our  intentions  are  peaceful ;  it  is  the 
best. thing. to  do.  Cap.,  the  best  thing  to  do.  Mas- 
sachusetts has  submitted;  we  may  as  well  follow 
her  example,  and  as  Mr.  Barebones  counsels,  trust 
in  the  Almighty  I  to  redress  our  wrongs," 

At  this,  without  opening  his  lips,  but  with  adook 
o£  supreme  scorn,  Wadsworth  drew  Lydia  from  the 
threshold,  then  closing  the  door,  passed  with  her. 
into  i  the  library,  where  they  remained  several  ho iirs. 


CHARTER  Oa^.  241 

iogetker,  each  too  absorbed  in   thought   to   care 
about  conversing. 

At  length  this  anxious  day  came  to  an  end,  and 
Mad  Adams,  who  had  gone  down  the  river  on 
another  reconnoissance,  returned  and  informed 
them  that  Andros  was  only  a  mile  off.  "  The  train- 
band are  escorting  him,"  he  said,  "  Oh,  Captain, 
Captain,  who  would  have  believed  this  six  months 
ago!  The  very  men  who  cried  the  loudest  for  In- 
dependence are  shouting,  '  long  live  the  Ring.'  " 

Without  a  moment's  delay,  Wadsworth  noT\ 
warned  his  aunt  and  Goody  Garlic  that  it  was  time 
for  them  to  repair  to  the  Court  Chamber,  w^hile 
Lydia  hastened  to  find  Tom  Hubbard,  Dorothy  and 
Nancy.  The  news  which  Adams  had  brought 
spread  like  wild-fire  through  the  settlement,  and 
from  every  dwelling  there  poured  forth  a  stream  of 
boys  and  girls  and  old  folks,  all  eager  to  witness 
the  great  event,  the  entry  of  Sir  -  Edmund.  The 
Assistants  and  Deputies  were  soon  congregated  in 
the  Legislative  hall,  while  Governor  Treat  took  a 
position  in  front  of  the  Bunch  of  Grapes,  to  greet 
his  Excellency.  In  about  half  an  hour  the  blast  of 
a  trumpet  announced  that  Andros  had  reached  the 
outskirts  of  the  town,  and  immediately  every  eye 
was  turned  in  that  direction.  The  train-band  apr- 
peared  first,  leading  the  way,  then  followed  Sir  Ed- 
mund, on  a  richly  caparisoned  steed,  while  by  his 


24^  ROMANCE  OP  tHE 

side  lode  an  officer  Avliom  every  body  recognised  as 
the  same  wlio  bad  more  tban  once  carried  de- 
spatches to  Governor  Treat.  Never  had  Andros 
looked  better  than  he  did  on  this  occasion.  He 
was  just  in  his  fiftieth  year  and  his  countenance, 
which  betokened  great  resolution,  wore  a  smile  of 
triumph,  as  he  found  himself  entering  without  op- 
position the  principal  town  of  the  Commonwealth. 
"  What  good  news,"  he  said  to  himself,  "  I  shall 
send  the  king !" 

Following  Andros  came  sixty  troopers,  and  when 
Wadsworth  beheld  this  handful  of  soldiers,  tears  of 
mortification  started  to  his  eyes.  "  Oh,  shame,"  he 
cried,  "  shame  on  my  train-band  !" 

The  welcome  which  Governor  Treat  gave  Andros 
was  most  cordial,  and  sent  a  thrill  of  joy  through 
the  breast  of  Israel  Barebones,  who  saw  in  it  a 
harbinger  of  peace  and  harmony.  Lydia,  however, 
paid  no  heed  to  the  movements  of  Sir  Edmund  ; 
her  eyes  were  constantly  fixed  on  Henry  Synnot, 
who  already  had  exchanged  significant  glances 
with  her.  After  the  first  greeting  was  over,  his 
Excellency  was  ushered  into  the  court  chamber, 
where  the  assistants  and  deputies  received  him  with 
every  demonstration  of  respect ;  then  having  taken 
the  chair  at  the  further  end  of  the  Hall,  usually  oc- 
cupied by  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  colony,  he 
motioned  the  latter  to  a  seat  on  his  right,  after 


CHAKTER   OAK.  243 

wliich  turning  to  the  Deputy  Governor,  he  bade 
him  place  himself  on  his  left.     Behind  them  stood 
Captain   Sjnnot ;    while   of    the    troopers    whom 
Andros  had  brought  to   Hartford,  only  two  were 
present,  the  rest  being  marshalled  on  the  green, 
prepared  to  resist  any   attempt   at   insurrection; 
which,  however,  did  not  seem  at  all  likely  to  occur. 
The  scene  which  the  hall  presented  was  a  very  in- 
teresting one.     The  orderlies,  with  drawn  swords, 
stood  on   either   side  of  the   long,   narrow  table, 
around  which  the  members  of  the  Assembly  were 
seated,  while  one,  besides  his  weapon,  carried  the 
new  flag  \^  hich  had  been  brought  over  from  Eng- 
land, namely  a  red  cross  on  a  white  ground,  and  in 
the  eentre  a  crown  wrought  in  gold  with  the  letter^i 
J.  E.    The  sombre,  drab  coats  of  the  Puritans,  and 
their  close,  square  cut  hair  formed  a  striking  con- 
trast to  the  burnished  steel  head-piece  and  cuirass 
of  Sir  Edmund,  and  the  scarlet  uniform,  decked 
with  gold  lace,  of  Captain  Synnot.     Three   large 
candle-sticks,  each  bearing  four  candles,  threw  a 
flickering  light   on   the   table ;  while  within  easy 
reach  of  the  one  nearest  to  Andros,  we  find  Nancy 
and  Lydia,  who  under  pretense  of  gratifying  their 
curiosity,  have  pushed  their  way  here,  regardless 
of  the  crowd. 

Further  down  the  hall,  Dorothy  Philbrick  and 
Tom  Hubbard  have  taken  up  a  position  where  thef 


244  KOMANGE   OF  THE 

na^y  with  facility  extinguish  the  hghtsinthe  secraid 
candlestick,  while  Miss  Orabtree  and  Goody  Garlic 
are  ready  to  perform  a  similar  duty  at  the.  lower 
extremity  of  the  cliamber.  To  Adams  has  been 
assigned  the,  part  of  keeping  the  stairway  clear  for 
the  regicide's  daughter  to  pass  down  with  the 
charter  ahould  she  be  fortunate  enough  to  secure  it, 
of  .which,  however,  he  has  many  doubts,  and  the 
nervous  way  he  strokes  his  shaggy  beard  shows 
how  seriously  he  views  the  situation. 

At  the,. porch  of  the  inn,  according  to  agreements 
Wadsworth  is  waiting  with  his  swift  steed  ready,  to 
carry  the  instrument  to  Wyllys'  hill  as  soon  as 
Lydia  shall  have  placed  it  in  his  hands,  and  we 
can  well  imagine  how  his  heart  throbs,  as  with  eyes 
intently  fixed  on  the  court  chamber  window,  he 
listens  for  the  first  sound  of  disturbance.  And 
the  regicide's  daughter — what  emotions  fill  her 
breast  at  this  moment !  How  she  glances  at  Syn- 
not,  then  a,t  the  tyrant,  who  has  already  given  her 
more  than  one  rude  stare  and  whispered  to  his 
chief  of  staff  that  she  is  the.  loveliest  creature  he 
has  seen  since  he  landed  in  New  England. 

"  Lady  Andros,"  said  he,  "  has  asked  me  to 
find  a  young  woman  native  born  in  the  colonies, 
beautiful  and  at  the  same  time  suflSciently.  educated 
to  be  a  maid  of  honor:  methinks  yonder  lass 
wxjwld  suit  her  ladyship.     Of  humble  x)rigin  she 


CHARTER   OAK.  2^16 

doubtless  is  ;  yet'  she  has  a  striking  face,  and'  by 
th©way»sh©oarri©s  herself  one  might  sayoM  blood 
coursed  in  her  vein s. "  \ 

At  these  words  Sjnnot's  countenance  suddenly 
brightened.  "I  shall  nut  lose  sight  of  her,  your 
Excellenc}^"  he  replied  ;  "  she  is  indeed  very  unlike 
all  the  other  maidens  I  have  seen  since  leaving 
Europe.  There  is  no  child  beauty  about  her,  her 
expression  indicates  soul.  I  warrant  she  is- brave, 
ambitious  and  attached  to  Connecticut,  and  if 
you  wish  to  have  her  fallow  you-  to  Boston  and 
serve  her  Ladyship,  you  must' make  her  some  offer 
becoming  one  of  her  nature." 

'■  Suggest  something,"  whispered  Sir  Edmtind, 
**  suggest  something.  If  money  and  high  position 
wiB  not  tempt  her,  tell  me  what  might." 

"  Authorize  me  to  say  to  h^r- jiD^r  Excellency, 
that  if  she  will  consent  to  what  you  propose,  you 
will  restore  to  the  people  of  Hartford  the  land 
which  they  had  voted  for  school  purposes,  and 
which,  as  you  may  remember,  has  been  bestowed 
on  Nathaniel  Clark." 

For  about  a  minute  Andros  was  silent ;  he  seemed 
to  be  revolving  in  his  mind '  these  w^ords  of  the 
officer.  '•  I  will,"  he  presently  answered,  "  I  wiK 
make  her  that  offer.  But  speaking  of  Mr;  Clark 
makes  me  wonder  that  he  is  n^t  here  to  greet  ma 
Humph  !  perhaps  'tis  as  well  I  should 'hold  no  ctm- 


246  ROMANCE  OP  THE 

ference  with  him  if  I  am  so  soon  to  take  back  the 
gift  I  made  ;  and  besides,  judging  from  the  quiet 
demeanor  of  the  people,  I  am  not  likely  to  need  Lis 
services  any  longer.  This  colony  has  shown  far 
greater  readiness  to  submit  to  my  authority  than 
Massachusetts." 

"When  Andros  had  done  speaking  with  Synnot,  he 
addressed  a  few  remarks  to  Governor  Treat,  who 
presently  made  a  sign  to  an  official  standing  near 

by. 

"  Now  be  firm,"  said  Lydia,  pressing  the  hand  of 
her  friend ;  "  the  charter  is  coming." 

She  was  right.  Yet  before  she  was  to  play  her 
daring  part,  an  incident  was  to  happen  which  con- 
firmed Sir  Edmund's  opinion  of  her  character. 
Israel  Barebones,  who,  until  now  had  been  stand- 
ing like  a  statue  just  behind  her,  suddenly  clasped 
his  hands,  and  with  an  expression  of  the  most  in- 
tense zeal,  began  to  pray  aloud.  Tom  Hubbard 
winked  at  Dorothy,  who  gave  her  lover  a  pinch 
and  bade  him  hold  his  tongue,  while  Lydia  turned 
towards  the  old  man  with  an  impatient  glance,  for 
she  was  anxious  to  perform  her  trying  part  as 
quickly  as  possible,  and  the  ruling  elder's  exhorta- 
tation  might  last  an  hour. 

"  Almighty  God,"  he  began,  "  we  return  Thee 
thanks  for  the  profound  peace  which  reigns  in  our 
beloved  commonwealth.  Grant  that  we,  Thy  people, 


CilAtlTEll  OAK.  247 

may  continue  to  have  our  thoughts  fixed  oiily  on 
Zion,  and  not  on  the  afiairs  of  this  world.  What 
is  wealth  ?  What  is  glory  ?  W^hat  is  liberty — if  in 
striving  to  attain  them  we  lose  our  souls?  Remain 
steadfast,  ye  men  and  women  of  Connecticut,  to  the 
plan  of  our  fathers.  Be  worthy  children  of  the 
new  Israel,  and  while  ye  submit  to  Governor 
Andros,  let  your  hearts  still  be  tabernacles  of  grace. 
Allow  no  bishops  to  come  among  ye.  Abhor  the 
Anglican  church.  Shun  all  contact  with  it  as  ye 
would  shun  a  den  of  rattlesnakes,  for  it  is  only 
popery  in  disguise."  Here  the  speaker  stretched 
out  his  arm  and  pointing  at  the  banner  which  the 
soldier  was  holding  :  "  Yonder  cross,"  he  continued, 
his  voice  rising  as  he  became  more  excited,  "  yon- 
der cross  which  pollutes  that  otherwise  beautiful 
flag,  is  a  scandal  in  my  eye,  and " 

It  were  difficult  to  tell  where  the  goodman  might 
have  stopped  in  his  denunciation  of  Andros'  em- 
blem of  authority,  had  not  his  words  been  suddenly 
cut  short  by  the  trooper  thrusting  his  sword  at  him. 

"He  must  be  mad,"  exclaimed  Sir  Edmund, 
•*  Captain  Synnot,  bid  the  orderly  sheath  his  wea- 
pon, then  have  the  greyheaded  fool  turned  out  of 
the  room." 

But  before  this  command  had  been  given,  Lydia, 
who  really  believed  Israel  Barebones  was  going  to 
be  murdered,  had  grasped  the  point  of  the  sword 


248  ROMANCE   or  THE 

and  stopped  it  when  it  was  within  an  inch  of  his 
breast ;  then,  with  a  look  of  haughty  defiance, 
slowly  pushed  it  aside. 

"What  a  girl  she  is  !"  continued  Andros,  still  ad- 
dressing his  aid-de-camp,  "  verily,  I  shall  not  let 
her  pass  her  days  among  these  boors.  But  see, 
see!"  here  he  drew  from  his  pocket  a  costly  silk 
handkerchief,  "she  has  hurt  herself!"  While  he 
was  speaking,  the  brow  of  Henry  Synnot  had  con- 
tracted—his black  eyes  were  now  flashing  fury. 

"I  want  not  your  kerchief,  sir,"  exclaimed  Lydia, 
releasing  her  hold  of  the  sword,  and  lifting  up  be- 
fore the  multitude  her  wounded  hand.  "  Would  to 
God  more  blood  had  flowed  this  day  in  Connecti- 
cut. But  ala,s !  we  are  fallen  on  evil  times,  when 
m^n  ■  thick  more  of  garnering  crops  and  living  at 
ease  than  of  defending  their  rights." 

Here  Andros  turned  impatiently  to  Governor 
Treat,  and  again  asked  to  have  the  charter  pro- 
duced—"and  make  haste,"  he  whispered,  "make 
haste." 

The  truth  is,  although  any  thing  but  a  coward, 
such  bold  language  as  the  girl  was  using  caused 
him  to  shrink  back  in  his  chair — he  dreaded  the 
effect  it  might  have  upon  that  crowd  of  scowling 
uien.  Lydia,  however,  to  his  great  relief,  did  not 
follow  up  her  words,  but  simply  urging  Mr.  Bare- 
bones  to  retire,  folded  her  arms,  then  rivettedupon 


CHATITER   OAK.  249 

the  tyrant  all  the  lire  of  her  haughty  eyes.  Pre- 
sently a  low  murmur  rang  through  the  hall  and  a 
roll  of  parchment,  with  the  Eoyal  Seal  affixed,  was 
spread  out  upon  the  table  in  front  of  his  Excellency. 
The  critical  moment  had  come.  Even  Tom  Hub 
bard's  face  twitched — Goody  Garlic  looked  anxious- 
ly at  Lydia;  while  Nancy  Clark  trembled  from 
head  to  foot.  But  Goffe's  daughter  showed  no 
sign  of  fear,  as,  with  lips  firmly  pressed,  she  leaned 
forward  and  seemed  trying  to  read  the^  wording  on 
the  parchment ;  and  in  this  attitude  she  remained 
nearly  half  a  minute,  which  appeared  hours  to 
those  who  were  to  assist  her  on  this  memorable  oc- 
casion. 

Suddenly,  just  as  Andros  raised  his  hand  to  place 
it  on  the  charter,  every  light  was  extinguished ! 

Wadsworth  knew  what  had  happened-^his  breath 
came  to  him  in  great  gasps,  and  instinctively  he 
stretched  out  his  arms  into,  the  darkness. 

The  confusion  which  followed  was  indescribable. 
The  Deputies  and  Assistants,  the  Governor  and 
Lieutenant-Governor,  as  well  as  Sir  Edmund  him- 
self, believed  some  awful  fate  was  impending. 

"  Wliat  means  this  ?"  cried  •  the  latter,  in  fierce 
tones ;  "  Captain  Synnot,  out,  quick,  marshal  the 
troops!" 

His  aidide-camp  staited  to  obey  the  order,  but 
found  it  impossible  to  go  more  than  a  few  feet, 


250  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

owing  to  the  panic-stricken  multitude  pressing 
against  him,  but  he  was  still  endeavoring  to  push 
his  way  through  the  darkness  when  he  felt  the 
touch  of  a  woman's  hand. 

"  Lydia — is  that  you  ?"  he  whispered. 
i     "  Yes,  yes,"  she  replied. 

"  Then  quick — come  to  the  spot  I  have  just  left 
— ^you  will  be  crashed  to  death  here." 

"  No,  no ;  do  not  stay  me,"  said  the  girl,  freeing 
herself  from  her  lover's  grasp,  and  with  wild  efforts 
attempting  to  move  forward  with  her  prize,  "  do 
not  stay  me — back,  friends — make  way." 

But  on  every  side  the  passage  to  the  door  was 
barred  by  the  surging  mass,  and  in  her  despair  she 
groaned  aloud.  Quick  as  thought  came  back  an 
answering  voice,  "  give  it  to  me,  give  it  to  me" — 
and  bending  down  from  the  brawny  shoulder  of 
Tom  Hubbard,  Nancy's  hand  touched  Lydia' s. 
Thankfully  did  the  regicide's  daughter  entrust  the 
instrument  to  her  friend,  then,  before  a  single 
match  could  be  struck,  by  dint  of  kicks  and  merci- 
less blows  of  his  fists,  the  lad  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing the  staircase  with  his  precious  burthen ;  nor 
was  it  until  he  was  half  way  down  that  the  candles 
nearest  Sir  Edmund  were  reht  and  his  Excellency 
discovered  what  had  been  done.  The  panic  now 
subsided  almost  as  suddenly  as  it  had  arisen,  and 
drawing  a  long  breath  and  waving  his  hand  at  Syn- 


CHARTER   OAK.  251 

not,  "  never  mind,"  he  cried,  "  do  not  call  the 
troops ;  the  people  mean  us  no  bodilj  harm,  they 
have  only  stolen  the  charter.  By  heaven  'twas  a 
bold  act !" 

Then  turning  towards  Governor  Treat  with  a 
sinister  smile,  "  'twill  avail  the  people  naught,"  he 
exclaimed,  "  I  wiU  still  be  their  master."  Then 
with  the  greatest  composure,  as  soon  as  the  other 
candles  were  relit,  he  opened  the  record  book  of 
the  colony,  and  taking  a  pen  closedthe  record  in  these 
words  :  "At  a  general  court  at  Hartford  October, 
31st,  1687 — his  Excellency  Sir  Edmund  Andros, 
Knight,  and  Captain-General,  and  Governor  of  his 
Majesty's  territories  and  dominions  in  New  England 
by  order  from  his  Majesty,  James  the  Second — 
King  of  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland,  took  into 
his  hands  the  government  of  the  colony  of  Con- 
necticut, it  being  by  his  Majesty  annexed  to  Massa- 
chussetts,  and  other  colonies  under  his  Excellency's 
government — Finis."  *  This  being  done,  he  im- 
mediately set  to  work  appointing  officers,  civil  and 
military  for  Connecticut.  The  number  of  his 
council  was  increased  to  fifty,  by  adding  to  it 
Governor  Treat,  John  Fitzwinthrop,  Wait  Win- 
throp,  and  John  Allyn  ;  while  so  calmly  did  he  pro- 
ceed in  the  work  of  reorganizing  the  government 

*  OoniL  Kec.  HI.  248. 


252  IlOMrVNCE    OE   THE 

that  he  did  hot  leave  the  court  chamber  till  within 
a  few  minutes  of  bell  ringing. 

Leij  us  now  go  back,  and  see  what  became  of  the 
charter.  Afe  we  remember  we  left  it  in  the  care  of 
Nancy  Clark,  who  borne  on  the  stout  shoulders  of 
young  Hubbard,  reached  the  foot  of  the  stairway 
before  Andros  discovered  that  it  was  gone.  Once 
safe  below,  the  young  woman  insisted  that  Tom 
should  return  to  Lydia. 

"  She  may  need  your  help,"  she  said,  "  for  the 
people  were  pushing  one  another  about  in  a  frantic 
manner — go  quick,  and  stay  with  her  until  she  is 
out  of  the  crush."  The  lad  obeyed  ;  then  without 
pausing  an  instant  longer,  Nancy  rushed  out  of  the 
Ordinary,  to  the  spot  where  according  to  the  agree- 
ment Wadsworth  was  to  wait  and  receive  the  char- 
ter. It  was  a  pitch  dark  night,  a  drizzling  rain  was 
falling.  As  she  drew  near,  Puritan  gave  a  loud 
neigh  —  in  another  moment,  she  found  herself 
clasped  in  the  Captain's  arms. 

"  Well  done,  Lydia,  well  done,"  he  said  ;  "  for- 
give me  if  I  press  my  lips  to  your  brow — speak,  'tis 
but  a  word — tell  me  that  I  have  not  loved  you  in 
vain." 

"  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  said  Nancy,  in  a  voice  firm 
yet  inexpressibly  mournful,  "  release  me.  I  am 
not  Lydia ;  take  the  charter  which   I  bring — go 


CHARTER   OAK.  *  253 

hide  it,  and  may  the  Almighty  stay  his  wrath — may 
he  pity  you — oh  Wadsworth,  Wadswoith  !" 

So  thunderstruck  and  mortified  was  the  chief  of 
the  train -band,  when  he  discovered  his  mistake, 
tliat  Nancy's  words  instead  of  softening  his  feehngs 
towards  her,  and  causing  him  to  think  of  his  vow, 
roused  his  anger  to  an  uncontrollable  pitch,  and 
crumpling  between  his  fingers  the  parchment  which 
she  had  given  him — he  thrust  her  violently  away ; 
then  springing  into  the  saddle,  he  galloped  off  to- 
wards Wyllys'  hill,  muttering,  "  'tis  my  fate  -my 
fate.     The  devil's  hand  is  over  me." 

He  was  not  long  in  reaching  the  oak,  where  in  a 
frame  of  mind  bordering  on  distraction,  he  con- 
cealed the  precious  instrument  which  Andros  had 
come  to  Hartford  to  seize ;  then  remounting  his 
horse,  went  back  at  a  more  leisurely  gait  towards 
the  town,  muttering  still,  "  'tis  my  fate,  my  fate." 

He  must  have  gone  almost  half  way,  to  the  green 
when  Puritan  suddenly  swerved  to  the  left — there 
was  a  figure  standing  in  the  road,  who  could  irj 
be?"  ^ 

"  Is  that  you,  "Wadsworth  ?"  said  a  voice  he  knew 
well. 

"  Ah  !  there  you  are  again,"  lie  impatiently  ex- 
claimed, "  what  do  you  want  now  ?  why  always 
pursuing  me  ?" 

Lowering  her  tone,   for  Nancy  feared  lest  some 


254  '  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

body  might  overliear  her, — "  do  not  upbraid  me," 
slie  continued,  "  I  would  not  for  the  world  stand  in 
the  way  of  your  happiness — not  for  myself,  even  if 
I  believed  I  had  a  place  in  your  heart,  would  I 
urge  you  to  pause.  Lydia  is  a  noble,  beautiful 
girl — my  dearest  friend  ;  but,  Wadsworth,  remem- 
ber,   oh,  remember  your  vow !" 

"  Why  remind  me  of  that  ?"  he  exclaimed. 
"  Let  it  perish  from  my  memory !  I  have  asked, 
but  have  not  received,  I  have  sought,  but  have 
not  found,  I  have  knocked,  but  it  has  not  been 
opened  unto  me.  Go,  Nancy  !  blame  the  Author 
of  my  being — Him  who  made  me  what  I  am  ;  who, 
when  the  temptation  came,  left  me  to  my  own 
strength  ;  go,  go,  do  not  even  pray  for  me !" 

Here  he  struck  his  hand  against  his  brow,  then 
rode  on,  almost  trampling  down  the  young  woman, 
who  had  been  standing  in  front  of  his  horse. 

As  he  went  a  voice  followed  him.  "  I  will  pray," 
it  said,  "  I  will  pray."  Then  another  voice  seemed 
to  answer,  "  Never  again,  Nancy,  never  again." 
He  put  his  hands  to  his  ears,  yet  still  the  voices 
pursued  him,  and  in  his  despair  he  cried  aloud, 
"  no,  never,  never,  never  again." 


CHARTER  OAK.  255 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

That  niglit,  at  an  hour  when  the  townfolks  were 
supposed  to  be  all  asleep,  two  figures  might  have 
been  seen  walking  together  in  the  direction  of 
Wadsworth's  house.  Lj^dia  was  listening  with 
wrapt  attention  to  what  Henry  Synnot  was  telling 
her,  and  never  did  suitor  plead  his  cause  with  more 
burning  words  ;  yet  while  she  did  not  attempt  to 
conceal  her  attachment  for  him,  she  frankly  avowed 
that  she  could  not  be  his  as  long  as  he  served 
James  the  Second.  ''  In  regard  to  the  other  mat- 
ter," she  said,  "  while  it  will  be  a  hard  trial  to  part 
with  dear  father,  yet  I  am  willing  to  make  any 
sacrifice  to  get  back  the  school  land  which  Nathaniel 
Clark  now  wrongfully  holds  ;  "  yes,  if  going  to 
Boston  and  becoming  maid  of  honor  to  Lady 
Andros  will  restore  to  Hartford  those  goodly  acres 
— then  I  cheerfully  consent  to  the  step  you  have 
proposed." 

The  officer  here  expressed  some  anxiet}^  about 
Nancy's  father.  "  The  plan  which  you  adopted  for 
keeping  him  from  meeting  Sir  Edmund,"  he  said, 
*'  was  indeed  well  contrived  ;  "  but  when  he  re- 
turns and  finds  that  he  has  been  duped,  may  he 
not  hasten  to  Boston  and  reveal  what  he  knows 


^§g  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

about  the  regicide  ?  and  will  lie  not  want  to  ask 
the  cause  of  his  being  deprived  of  the  school  land 
— the  loss  of  which  will  greatly  astonish  him  after 
having  been  given  the  deed?" 

"  Leave  that  to  me,"  replied  Lydia.  "  I  shall  so 
contrive  that  he  will  not  go  to  Boston.  How  I  am 
to  overcome  this  new  difficulty  will  soon  be  made 
clear  to  jou,  Henry.  All  I  ask  in  order  to  carry 
out  my  plan  is  that  you  furnish  me  a  hundred 
pounds." 

"  A  hundred  pounds !"  exclaimed  her  lover. 
"  By  my  faith,  'tis  a  large  sum  to  procure  on  so 
short  a  notice ;  nevertheless  I  believe  his  Excel- 
lency's purse  is  good  for  the  amount.  He  owes  me 
more  than  that ;  I  will  ask  for  the  money  to-mor- 
row, and  as  soon  as  I  get  it  it  shall  be  at  your  dis- 
posal." 

They  had  now  reached  Wadsworth's  abode,  and 
fearing  to  linger  by  the  door  lest  the  ever  watchful 
Charity  Crabtree  might  come  out  and  discover  them 
together,  the  officer  kissed  her  hand  and  they 
separated.  Although  it  was  long  past  bell  ringing 
when  the  regicide's  daughter  entered,  she  found  a 
huge  fire  blazing,  and  Wadsworth,  Adauis,  Miss 
Crabtree,  Prudence,  Tom  Hubbard  and  Doroth}^ 
all  waiting  to  receive  her.  Her  old  nurse,  who  had 
been  reading  a  chapter  in  the  Bible,  did  not  even 
finish  the  sentence,  but  rushed  towards  her,  aud 


after  a  hast}'  embrace  bi'gau  examining  her  woiinil- 
ed  hand,  then  playfully  chided  her  for  not  having 
come  home  at  an  earlier  hour.  Even  the  erochety 
aunt  was  so  rejoiced,  that  she  forgot  to  ask  where 
she  had  been,  and  showered  no  end  of  praises  on 
her  for  the  bravery  she  had  displayed  in  the  court 
chamber  ;  while  Adams,  his  hardened  countenance 
brightened  by  the  same  expression  of  kindliness 
which  Lydia  had  so  often  seen  upon  it  when  he  had 
visited  her  in  the  wilderness,  maintained  there  was 
not  another  girl  like  her  in  all  Connecticut.  As  for 
Tom  Hubbard  and  his  sweetheart,  they  each  caught 
her  by  an  arm  and  shook  her  as  if  they  wanted  to 
pull  her  to  pieces,  the  lad  declaring  it  was  herself 
and  not  Nancy  Clark  he  had  meant  to  carry  out  of 
the  hall.  Wadsworth  alone  held  aloof,  but  while 
his  lips  did  not  move,  his  cavernous  eyes  darted 
upon  her  a  strange  fire  ;  they  seemed  to  cast  a  spell 
over  her  and  it  required  a  strong  effort  to  turn 
away  from  him. 

"  Although  it  is  not  far  from  midnight,"  exclaimed 
Dorothy,  "  I  could  not  go  home  without  congratu- 
lating you,  Miss  Lydia,  on  your  brave  conduct.  I 
was  also  impatient  to  show  you  what  Tom  picked 
up  on  the  court-room  floor  ;  Andros  must  have  lost 
it  in  the  confusion  which  followed  the  extinction  of 
the  lights — see  !" 

Here   the  girl  prorl^-'-'l   a  heavy  gold  seal  on 


258  li    MANCE   OF   THE 

which  was  marked  a  crown  and  the  letters  E.  A* 
"  This,"  she  continued,  "  shall  belong  to  the  one 
who  to-daj  saved  our  charter." 

Here  she  placed  the  prize  in  Lydia's  hand.  The 
latter  stared  at  it  a  moment,  apparently  in  deep 
thought ;  then  suddenly  looking  up,  and  asking 
Adams  not  to  go  away  until  she  returned,  she 
hastened  to  her  father's  room  on  the  second  story. 
The  old  gentleman  was  asleep  when  she  approached 
the  bedside,  and  when  she  awoke  him  appeared 
surprised  to  find  her  there. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  has  anything  happened, 
Lydia  ?"  he  exclaimed. 

"  Yes,"  she  replied,  "  stay  calm,  however  ;  what 
1  am  going  to  tell  you  will  not  cause  more  grief  to 
your  heart  than  to  my  own.  A  great  end  can 
rarely  be  attained  without  suffering.  Father,  I 
have  come  to  bid  you  good-bye." 

At  these  words  the  regicide,  old  and  feeble  as  he 
was,  rose  from  the  pillow  and  seized  her  by  the 
wrist.  "  Has  this  hand,"  he  exclaimed,  "  with  the 
bloody  rag  upon  it,  aught  to  do  with  your  strange 
announcement  ?  Although  I  am  confined  to  my 
bed,  I  became  satisfied  to-day  that  something  un- 
usual was  occurring.     Tell  me  child,  what  was  it  ?" 

"  Yes,"  rejoined  Lydia,  "  Andros  is  in  town. 
But  no  danger,  father,  no  danger  to  you  ;  he  doea 
not  know  you  are  here  ;  he  only  came  to  take  the 


CttAHtEH   OAit.  ^50 

charter.  But  I  saved  it,  and  it  lies  hidden  where 
he  never  will  find  it.  As  for  my  hand,  'tis  only 
scratched  by  the  point  of  a  sword,  which  one  of 
Sir  Edmund's  soldiers  aimed  at  Israel  Barebones, 
and  which  I  thrust  aside.  I  did  not  intend  to 
speak  about  it ;  I  only  came  to  bid  good-bye  and 
osk  your  blessing." 

At  these  words  the  old  gentleman  burst  into  tears  ; 
he  could  not  sj^eak,  and  seizing  the  coverlet  with  a 
convulsive  grasp  fell  back  on  the  pillow. 

"  Oh,  father,"  continued  Lydia,  her  voice  trem- 
bhng  and  the  tears  starting  to  her  own  eyes,  "  do 
not  take  it  so  hard,  I  will  return.  Listen  now,  and 
I  will  tell  why  I  am  going.  The  British  officer 
whom,  as  I  once  confessed,  I  am  in  love  with,  is  in 
town.  I  have  had  an  interview  with  him — he  has 
urged  me  to  be  his  bride — but  I  have  refused  ; 
/never,  said  I,  '  as  long  as  you  serve  King  James.' 
I  have  consented,  however,  to  return  with  him  to 
Boston  and  be  maid  of  honor  to  Lady  Andros, 
who  it  seems  is  desirous  of  having  that  place  filled 
by  a  young  woman  who  is  a  native  of  New  Eng- 
land. And  Henry  Synnot  has  assured  me  that  if 
I  will  do  that,  Sir  Edmund  will  give  back  to  the 
people  of  Hartford  the  school  land  which  is  now 
wrongfully  held  by  Mr.  Clark,  the  father  of  my 
friend  Nancy." 

"  How  like  you,  child,  how  like  you  !"  exclaimed 


260  ilOMANCE  OP  THE 

the  old  gentleman,  drying  his  tears ;  then  placing 
his  hand  on  her  head — "  God  bless  you !  God  bless 
you  !  and  may  your  mission  be  successful." 

Here  grief  again  mastered  him,  and  for  a  few 
minutes  father  and  daughter  wept  together.  At 
length  by  a  strong  effort  Lydia  resumed  her  self- 
command  ;  then  bringing  the  lamp  nearer  she 
showed  him  the  seal,  and  after  telling  how  she  had 
come  by  it,  ended  by  heaping  praises  on  Dorothy 
Philbrick  for  the  firmness  she  had  displayed  in  the 
court  chamber,  and  expressing  a  hope  that  Tom 
Hubbard's  courtship  would  have  a  happy  endinj. 
With  this  she  gave  the  old  gentleman  a  kiss  and 
withdrew  to  the  lower  story,  realizing  as  she  had 
never  done  before,  how  happy  the  days  had  been 
which  she  had  passed  under  Wads  worth's  roof. 

On  arriving  below  she  found  that  Tom  Hubbard 
and  his  sweetheart  had  gone  home ;  but  Prudence 
and  Charity  were  still  waiting  up,  dear  knows  for 
what  purpose,  unless  to  finish  their  chapter  in  the 
Bible,  while  Wadsworth  was  seated  beside  iVdams, 
his  arms  folded  and  looking  the  picture  of  despair. 
To  see  him  thus  made  Lydia  wonder,  for  she 
thought  the  way  Andros  had  been  circumvented 
ought  to  have  been  enough  to  fill  his  heart  with 
gladness. 

"  Captain,"  she  said  in  a  winning  voice,  and 
pointing  towards  the  library,  *'  follow  me  ;  and  you, 


CHARTER   OAK.  261 

too,  Adams,  come.*'  They  obeyed,  then  as  soon  as 
soon  as  the  door  was  closed  she  told  them  that  she 
\ias  going  on  the  morrow  to  Boston,  and  gave  her 
reasons  for  taking  so  strange  a  step. 

"  Noble  girl !"  exclaimed  her  host,  "  there  is  no 
,7ther  in  this  world  like  you  !  Noble,  noble  girl !" 

The  tavern -keeper  however,  shook  his  head ;  he  ap- 
peared to  doubt  Lydia's  sincerity.  True,  she  had 
snatched  the  charter  away  from  Andros  that  evening, 
but  his  mind  was  haunted  by  the  memory  of  her 
interview  with  Henry  Synnot,  which  he  had  wit- 
nessed a  few  months  before  ;  and  now  to  have  her 
tell  him  she  was  going  to  accompany  Sir  Edmund 
to  Massachusetts,  was  enough  to  destroy  what 
little  faith  he  had  left  in  her  patriotism. 

"  Yes,  noble  girl !"  continued  Wadsworth,  ''dearly 
as  you  love  your  father,  you  do  not  hesitate  to  part 
from  him,  in  order  to  benefit  the  commonwealth. 
Let  us  hope  Sir  Edmund  may  not  prove  a  deceiver, 
and  that  we  will  get  baek  the  school  land;  but 
Lydia — return  soon."  Here  he  placed  his  hand 
upon  hers,  which  was  resting  on  the  table. 

"  'Twill  be  a  great  consolation,"  she  replied, 
slightly  blushing,  "  to  know  that  I  leave  my  parent 
under  your  roof." 

Here  Adams  again  shook  his  head,  and  muttered 
something  about  Clark. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I've  thought  of  him,"  continued  Lydia, 


262  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

glancing  at  the  publican  ;  "  listen,  and  I  will  tell 
what  method  I  have  devised  to  guard  against  his 
communicating  with  Andros."  It  might  strike 
some  folks  overburthened  with  scruples  like  Israel 
Barebones,  as  not  altogether  proper  and  truthful ; 
still,  considering  that  I  a'm  the  daughter  of  the 
regicide,  I  shall  not  be  stopped  by  a  trifle  of  con- 
science. Now  listen.  I  am  going  to  write  a  letter 
to  Mr.  Clark,  sign  it  with  Sir  Edmund's  name,  and 
stamp  it  with  his  seal — which  by  a  special  Provi- 
dence, has  come  into  my  possession.  In  that  letter 
I  will  say,  that  Goffe  being  too  infirm  to  escape 
again  into  the  wilderness,  need  not  be  disturbed, 
and  that  'tis  only  necessary  to  watch  the  house 
wherein  he  is  concealed,  and  send  immediate  word 
should  there  be  any  prospect  of  his  again  taking  to 
flight.  And  I  will  end  by  declaring  that  the  reason 
why  my  father  is  not  now  arrested,  is  that  his  Ex- 
cellency will  go  to  England  in  a  twelvemonth  or 
so,  at  which  time  he  will  take  the  regicide  aboard 
the  same  vessel,  and  deliver  him  with  his  own  hand 
to  the  King.  I  will  also  add,  that  Mr.  Clark 
will  then  be  invited  to  accompany  his  Excellency,  and 
receive  the  thanks  of  his  sovereign.  What  think  you 
of  this  ?" 

"  It  is  a  plan  which  never  would  have  entered 
my  head,"  exclaimed  the  tavern-keeper ;  "  no, 
aeverl" 


CHARTER  OAK.  263 

"Nor  mine  either,"  said  Wadsworth.  "Yerily 
it  was  a  sj^ecial  Providence  which  sent }  ou  Andros* 
seal ;  but  for  that,  Mr.  Chirk  might  suspect  your 
letter  to  be  a  forgery.  Oh,  Lydia,  what  an  ingeni- 
ous brain  you  have.  But  now,  let  me  inquire  how 
soon  you  leave  ?" 

"  To-morrow,  sir ;  and  as  time  is  short,  having 
yet  to  inform  Goody  Garlic  that  she  must  accom- 
pany me,  as  well  as  having  to  write  the  letter,  I  will 
bid  you  good-night." 

She  was  about  to  leave  the  room,  when  Wads- 
worth  exclaimed :  "  Hold !  let  me  have  a  share  in 
the  gre^it  work  you  are  about  to  undertake.  You 
shall  journey  to  Boston  on  the  swiftest  steed  in  the 
colony  ;  all  who  see  him  will  envy  you,  and  may 
the  Ahiiighty  spare  you  to  return  to  Hartford  on 
the  back  of  my  faithful  Puritan.  Do  you  accept 
the  gift?" 

Lydia  could  not  refuse,  she  even  thanked  tho 
Captain  with  a  warmth  which  again  misled  him, 
and  had  not  Adams  been  present  he  might  have 
fallen  on  his  knees  and  confessed  his  love.  Then 
hastening  into  the  other  room,  the  girl  told  her  old 
nurse  in  the  presence  of  Miss  Crabtree,  that  this 
was  to  be  their  last  night  here,  and  that  on  the 
morrow  they  were  to  accompany  Sir  Edmund  An- 
dros  to  Massachusetts.  When  Charity  heard  this, 
she  let  fall  her  dream-book,  which  she  was  about 


204  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

replacing  in  the  cupboard — and  this  time  she  did 
it  through  unfeigaed  astonishment,  and  not  as  on  a 
former  occasion  in  order  to  attract  somebody's 
attention — while  Goody  Garlic,  whose  countenance 
expressed  alarm  as  well  as  wonder,  rushed  into  the 
library  and  told  Wadsworth  the  girl  had  gone  mad. 
Nor  was  it  an  easy  matter  for  the  chief  of  the 
train-band  to  explain  how  matters  stood,  and  to 
show  that  Lydia  had  never  been  more  sane  than 
at  this  moment ;  but,  when  at  length  the  goodwif j 
was  persuaded  tliat  her  darling  had  not  lost  her 
wits,  she  drew  a  long  breath,  then  while  the  tears 
started  to  her  eyes  muttered  a  prayer  of  thanks  ^ 
giving. 

It  was  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  before  any  of 
the  family  retired.  The  master  of  the  house  paced 
back  and  forth  with  Adams  ;  while  Charity  and  Pru- 
dence, with  a  jug  of  cider  and  a  pile  of  walnuts  be- 
tween them,  went  on  chatting  as  if  they  would 
never  stop.  Many  were  the  anecdotes  they  re- 
lated, some  of  them  funny,  some  of  them  sad, 
to  most  of  which  Lydia  appeared  to  listen  with 
the  greatest  of  interest;  but  ever  and  anon  she 
would  bury  her  face  in  her  hands  and  ponder 
over  the  letter  which  she  had  yet  to  write.  At 
length,  the  empty  nut-shells  and  the  jug,  from 
which  the  last  drop  had  been  poured,  brought  the 
old  maids  to  a  sense  of  how  late  the  hour  was  ;  to 


CHARTER   OAK.  265 

sit  up  longer  might  give  scandal,  so  rising  from 
the  table  they  sang  a  hymn  and  withdrew.  Lydia 
in  a  few  minutes  followed  their  example ;  but  be- 
fore she  entered  her  bed-room,  she  was  seized  by 
Miss  Crabtree,  who  had  been  waiting  for  her  at  the 
top  of  the  staircase,  and  after  being  kissed  on  both 
cheeks,  was  told  by  the  dame,  in  the  most  empha- 
tic terms,  that  Wads  worth  would  watch  over  her 
parent  as  if  he  were  his  own  flesh  and  blood. 

"Yes,"  said  Charity,  "you  need  not  have  the 
least  anxiety  about  the  old  gentleman.  He  never 
pever  shall  be  molested  while  my  Joe  is  alive.  And 
my  Joe  will  often  think  of  you.  Come  back  from 
Boston  as  soon  as  you  can  and  we'll  give  another 
husking  party.  And — and — now  don't  take  offence 
— keep  your  curls  clipped — they're  sproutin'  again 
— and  will  afore  long  reach  a  sinful  length — good 
night." 


CHAPTEK  XLH. 

Wadsworth  had  invited  Lydia  to  write  her  mis- 
sive to  Mr.  Clark  in  his  study,  where  she  would 
have  every  convenience  of  pen,  ink  and  paper ;  and 
perhaps  if  he  had  urged  her  with  less  eagerness  she 
might  have  accepted  the  offer.  But  she  suspected 
his  object.     "  Yes,"  she  said,  "  he   wants  to  haTe 


266  tlOMANCE  OF  THE 

me  there  alone,  and  then  make  a  proposal  of 
marriage.  I  will  spare  him  the  pain  of  a  refu- 
sal, and  write  the  letter  in  my  bed-room."  So 
while  Goody  Garlic  was  falling  asleep,  she  began 
to  compose  it.  First,  she  made  Sir  Edmund  thank 
Nancy's  father  for  his  faithful  services  to  the  royal 
cause — services  which  had  done  so  much  to  bring 
about  the  present  submissive  spirit  of  the  people  of 
Hartford.  He  then  went  on  to  say  that  the  dis- 
covery of  the  regicide  was  something  for  which  no 
reward  would  be  too  great.  "Accept,"  he  con- 
tinued, "these  hundred  pounds,  which  I  inclose, 
together  with  my  private  seal.  I  had  intended  en- 
tering Hartford  by  way  of  Windsor  in  order  to  take 
the  inhabitants  by  surprise — and  accordingly  sent 
you  word  to  join  me  at  the  latter  town.  But  hav- 
ing heard,  when  within  a  day's  journey  of  your 
place,  that  far  from  being  inclined  to  dispute  my 
advance,  the  train-band  was  actually  g^ing  to  give 
me  welcome  at  the  Wethersfield  ferry,  I  changed 
my  route,  and  so  did  not  have  the  great  pleasure  of 
meeting  you.  My  reason  for  not  bringing  Goffe 
with  me  to  Boston,  on  this  preseni  occasion,  is  the 
state  of  his  health,  which  Captain  Synnot  assures 
me  is  such  that  the  journey  would  prove  fatal.  His 
daughter  I  have  taken  as  a  hostage,  albeit  she 
knows  it  not,  but  has  been  made  to  believe  that  by 
entering  the  service  of  Lady  Andros  I  shall  be  in- 


CHARTER  OAK.  S67 

duced  to  show  favors  to  Connecticut.  Watch  her 
father  carefully.  In  a  twelvemonth  or  so  I  am  go- 
ing to  England,  when  I  will  hand  him  over  myself 
to  the  King,  and  you  shall  accompany  me.  Until 
then,  keep  on  the  alert,  and  believe  me, 

"  Your  friend,  "  E.  Andros, 

"  Governor  of  N.  E." 
She  did  not  seal  the  letter,  for  she  had  not  yet 
obtained  the  money  which  was  to  be  put  in  it,  but 
having  laid  down  her  pen,  sat  nearly  an  hour  by 
the  little  table  reading  and  re-reading  what  she 
had  written,  and  musing  on  her  strange  destiny. 
The  same  feelings  came  over  her  as  the  night  be- 
fore she  had  left  her  home  in  the  wilderness ;  but 
now,  added  to  the  excitement  of  going  to  a  new 
country  and  grief  at  leaving  her  father,  was  a  sense 
of  pride  and  enthusiasm.  Difficult  might  be  the 
part  she  would  have  to  play,  yet  she  felt  that  no 
trials  would  be  too  great  if  only  she  could  recover 
for  the  people  of  Hartford  their  lost  school  land. 
"  Besides,"  thought  Lydia,  "  Henry  Synnot  will  be 
near  me,  and — "  here  she  clasped  her  hands,  "God 
may  so  bring  it  about  that  he  will  not  always  serve 
a  tyrant."  In  the  meanwhile  the  candle  flickered, 
Goody  Garlic  snored,  and  her  eyes,  every  now  and 
then  wandered  towards  the  dead  man's  chair.  At 
one  moment  she  fancied  the  door  of  her  room  was 
opening,   and  it  made   her   skin    creep — perhaps 


268  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

Wadsworth  might  enter,  as  lie  had  done  once  be- 
fore, led,  as  she  believed,  by  an  invisible  hand  ;  and 
although   she   was  not   easily  frightened,  his  un- 
earthly eyes  had  left  an  impression  on  her  mind 
which  no  years  would  efface,  and  she  shuddered  at 
the  idea  of  beholding  him  again  under  the  influence 
of  a  supernatural  power.     When,  finally,  she  ble^\ 
out  the  light  and  withdrew  to  her  couch,  it  was  not 
to  sleep  ;  twice  she  started  up  under  the  belief  that 
the  door  was  opening,  while  once  she  felt  sure  some- 
body was  touching  the  horseshoe,  at  the  bed  post. 
Oh,  how  slowly  the   night   seemed  to  pass!  was 
dawn  ever  coming?  was  the  watch  never  going  to 
ring  the  bell  ?     But  at  length,  after  what  appeared 
an   endless  time,    Lydia   heard    Charity    Crabtree 
descending  the  stair-case  ;  the  bell  was  sounding, 
and  hastily  rising  from  her  pilloAV,  she  threw  on  her 
robes,  then  awoke  Prudence  and  informed  her  that 
as  they  were  to  leave  Hartford  at  an  earl}-  hour  she 
must  lose  not  a  moment  in  packing  the  sheepskin 
bag.     "  Yes,  do  get  up,"  said   the   girl,  "  do   get 
up;  and  while  I  go  bid  farewell  to  Nancy  Clark, 
pack  the  bag  and  let  all  be  ready  when  I  return." 
With  this  she  went  below,  then  having  put  on  her 
cloak  and  hood  and  allowed  Charity  to  kiss  her 
again  on  both  cheeks,  she  glided  out  of  the  house. 
When  she  arrived  at  Mrs.  Bull's  she  was  surprised 
to  find  the  shutters  of  the  cottage  closed,  for,  how- 


\ 


CHAKTER   OAK.  269 

ever  lazj  the  widow  herself  might  be,  she  knew 
that  Nancy's  habits  of  earlj  rising  were  much  like 
her  own.  But  she  had  only  to  knock  once  when 
the  door  flew  open  and  her  friend  stood  before  hei;. 

"  What  brings  you  here  so  early,  Lydia  ?  Has 
any  thing  happened  to  father?"  exclaimed  the 
young  woman.  "  I  have  not  seen  him  these  two 
days.     Tell  me,  has  anything  happened  ?" 

Lydia  assured  her,  on  her  word  of  honor,  that 
Mr.  Clark  was  safe  and  uninjured,  but  that  he  had 
not  yet  come  back  from  Windsor,  vvbither  he  had 
gone,  under  the  mistaken  notion  that  Andros  would 
approach  the  settlement  from  that  direction  ;  then 
in  a  playful  way  she  chided  her  friend  for  b^ing  so 
late  getting  up. 

"  Don't  blame  me,"  said  Nancy,  in  a  wiaifeper. 
and  with  a  sweet  smile,  for  the  news  she  had  ju^i 
heard  about  her  parent  had  taken  a  load  off  hf^A 
heart ;  "  you  know  that  Mrs.  Bull  is  as  stubborn  as 
yourself,  nay,  more  stubborn  ;  for  while  neither  you 
nor  she  go  to  njeeting  on  the  Sabbath,  my  darling 
Lydia  at  least — rises  at  bell  ringing." 

Here  a  gruff  voice  was  heard  scolding  Nancy  fo»r 
disturbing  the  quiet  of  the  house. 

"What  scruples  ye  have,"  growled  Mrs.  Bull, 
"  about  obeying  the  laws !  Why,  they  might  fine 
me  till  they  fined  all  the  clothes  off  my  back,  and 


270  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

ring  the  bell  till  Gabriel  answered  it  with  his  trum- 
pet afore  I'd  get  up,  if  I  felt  like  lying  abed." 

Here  the  widow  slipped  her  hand  under  the  pil- 
low  and   pulling   out   the    tarred   rope,  began  to 
smell  it.    "  Alas  !"  she  sighed,  "  alas  !  the  tar  is  fad- 
ing— 'taint  near  so  strong  as  it  used  to  be.     But 
tar  or  no  tar,  'twill  always  make  me  think  of  the 
old  man.     There  never  was  such  a  sailor  as  he — 
nor   a   bark   like   the    Polly   Ann !"     Then   again 
changing  her  voice  to  a  growl — "  But,  Miss  Nancy, 
who's   that  you're   talking    to?"     At   this,   L3^dia 
made  herself  known,  and  after  laughingly  telling 
the  dame  that  she  would  not  report  her  for  being 
so  late  abed,  she  went  on  to  tell  her  friends  of  the 
strange  step  she  was  about  to  take ;  and  when  she 
added  that  in  less  than  an  hour  she  might  be  on 
the  way  to  Boston,  Nancy  could  no  longer  restrain 
her  tears,  while  the  widow  muttered  an  oath  and 
brought  the  rope  violently  dow^n  on  the  bed  post. 
"  What'll  I  do  without  you  ?"  she  cried.     "  On  a 
long  and  stormy  voyage  two  ships  in  company  are 
better  than  one.     If  a  sail  or  spar  gets  blowed 
away  they  can  make  up  the  loss  at  ween  'em.     But 
now  I'm  to  be  left  all  by  myself  in  the  hands  of  the 
Philistines.     Aye,  Nancy  Clark,  don't  take  scandal 
at  my  words.     They  are  Philistines.    Never,  never, 
by  all  the  sharks,  will  I  beheve  their  hearts  are  the 
tftbernacles  of  grace.     And  the  worst  of  'em  all  is 


CHARTER  OAK.  271 

our  ruling  elder,  who  would  have  persecuted  me 
even  more  than  he  has,  if  Miss  Lydia  hadn't  been 
near  to  back  me  up.  But  now  she's  going  away — • 
going  away !"  Here  Mrs.  Bull  drew  her  sleeve 
across  her  eyes,  then  struck  the  bed  post  another 
blow.  "  "Would  to  God  you  were  Israel  Barebones," 
she  cried,  gazing  at  the  inanimate  object  with 
a  savage  expression  ;  "  oh,  yes,  don't  I  wish  it !" 

She  was  still  beating  the  post  when  Lydia  said 
good-bye — and  although  the  girl's  heart  was  any- 
thing but  joyful,  she  could  not  help  smiling  at  the 
ludicrous  spectacle. 

"As  for  your  father,  dear  Nancy,"  she  whispered, 
lingering  a  moment  on  the  threshold,  "  no  harm 
shall  come  to  him.  I  have  Wadsworth's  word  for 
that."  Then  pressing  her  friend's  hand,  and  tell- 
ing her  not  to  neglect  Mrs.  Japheth,  the  regicide's 
daughter  departed. 

But  she  had  only  gone  a  little  ways  when  she 
heard  Mrs.  Bull  calling  out  to  her  to  come  back, 
and  retracing  her  steps  she  met  the  jolly  old  soul 
wrapped  in  a  huge  dressing  gown — which  had  be- 
longed to  her  husband — standing  in  the  doorway 
puffing  with  the  exertions  she  had  made  to  get 
there.  "  I  want  you,"  whispered  the  dame,  after 
glancing  round  to  see  that  Nancy  was  not  listening, 
"  I  want  you  to  send  me  by   hook  or  by   crook 


272  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

another  Shakespeare  ;  you  know  the  one  I  had  was 
burnt  by  the  Philistines." 

Having  promised  to  comply  with  her  request, 
Lydia  again  bade  her  farewell  and  laughed  heartily 
as  she  went  along  the  road,  for  she  could  hear  the 
cracking  and  the  snapping  of  the  old  tarred  rope 
as  it  came  down  oTer  the  bed  post  and  which  in 
the  crisp  November  air  sounded  like  the  report  of 
a  pistol. 

The  girl's  next  object  was  to  find  Henry  Synnot, 
and  procure  from  him  the  money  which  was  to  ac- 
company the  letter  and  the  seal.  Had  her  lover, 
however,  been  as  sluggish  as  the  foreign  troopers 
whom  Sir  Edmund  had  brought  to  Hartford,  it  is 
doubtful  whether  she  would  have  met  him  at  this 
early  hour.  But  the  truth  is,  he  was  no  less  de- 
sirous of  finding  Lydia,  in  order  to  let  her  Imow  that 
Andros  was  to  set  out  on  his  return  to  Boston  at 
nine  o'clock,  and  he  wanted  to  consult  about  her 
mode  of  travelling,  and  ask  if  she  would  go  in  a 
litter  or   on   horseback. 

It  was  near  the  green  where  once  before  he  had 
openly  accosted  the  girl  in  presence  of  the  townfolks 
that  Captain  Synnot  appeared — and  he  seemed  to 
recognize  her  in  the  distance,  for  he  waved  his 
hand  when  she  was  yet  scarcely  more  than  across 
the  bridge. 

"  A   lovely   morning,"    he   said,   advancing   and 


chahter  oak.  273 

making  a  low  obeisance,    "  we  will  travel  fast  to- 
day ;  the  frost  will  spur  us  on.'* 

"Yes,  there  is  nothing  like  this  air.  I  feel  a«  if 
I  could  walk  the  whole  distance,"  returned  Lydia, 
"but  having  been  offered  the  best  horse  in  the 
colony  I  may  as  well  ride.  The  animal  belongs  to 
the  famous  Narragansett  breed,  and  was  given  me 
by  Joseph  Wadsworth,  chief  of  the  Hartford  train- 
band." 

"  Indeed  !  well  it  pleases  me  to  know  you  will  be 
well  mounted — I  long  to  see  you  on  horseback. 
How  soon  can  you  be  ready  ?" 

"  In  an  hour,  sir,  or  less  ;  I  only  want  to  say  good- 
bye to  father." 

"  Your  father !  Oh,  what  would  I  give  to  meet 
him !"  exclaimed  the  ojficer.  "  I  suppose  that 
would  be  impossible." 

"  Yes,  impossible ;  not  that  it  would  cause  him 
any  alarm,  for  I  have  told  him  you  were  his  friend  ; 
but  he  cannot  leave  his  bed  and  there  might  be 
danger  to  one  in  the  service  of  King  James  cross- 
ing the  threshold  of  the  house  where  he  is  con- 
cealed. Mr.  Wadsworth  is  too  bitter  an  enemy  of 
royalty." 

Without  further  detaining  her,  Synnot  now 
handed  her  the  hundred  pound  note  for  which  she 
had  asked  the  previous  evening,  then  taking  her 
hand,  pressed  it  to  his  lips. 


^?4  ROMANCE   OF  TH:^ 

It  happened  that  just  at  this  moment  Mad  Adams 
threw  open  the  door  of  the  Bunch  of  Grapes,  and 
as  his  eyes  fell  on  the  affectionate  couple,  a  sav- 
age look  passed  over  his  countenance.  He  ground 
his  teeth  and  wondered  how  Captain  Joe  had  been 
so  easily  deceived  ;  "  and  yet,"  thought  the  honest 
fellow,  "  I  almost  insulted  him  at  first  because  he 
did  not  seem  to  admire  the  girl.  Oh,  I  have  ly^^en. 
deceived  too.     Miss  Lydia,  Miss  Lydia 


CHAPTEK    XLIII. 

Nine  o'clock  had  struck  ;  on  the  green  the  sixty 
troopers  were  marshalled  in  line  ;  while  the  mem- 
bers of  the  General  Assembly  (whose  power  as  a 
legislative  body,  however,  had  been  dissolved  by 
Sir  Edmund)  were  gathered  in  front  of  the  Bunch 
of  Grapes  where  his  Excellency  had  passed  the 
night,  anxious  to  pay  him  their  parting  respects. 

Lydia,  her  eyes  moistened  with  tears,  had  just 
bid  good-bye  to  her  father,  and  with  Goody  Garlic 
was  now  waiting  in  front  of  Wadsworth's  house 
for  the  moment  to  depart.  No  other  being  on 
earth  but  the  regicide's  daughter  could  have  persu- 
aded the  old  maid  to  undertake  such  a  journey  ;  vi- 
sions of  wolves,  slippery  roads,  broken  girths  and 


CHARTER   OAK.  275„ 

fractious  horses  had  haunted  her  brain  during  the 
night,  and  in  one  of  her  dreams  she  had  seen  a  mons- 
trous bear  trying  to  pull  down  a  cedar  tree,  on 
which  she  had  taken  refuge.  But  this  time  she  was 
not  to  ride  Jack,  the  poor  beast  being  too  old  for 
any  further  service,  and  at  the  present  moment  we 
find  her  perched  on  the  most  gentle  animal  which 
Captain  Synnot  has  been  able  to  procure  and 
which  an  orderly  has  just  brought  to  the  door. 

Between  Prudence  and  Charity  the  most  endear- 
ing expressions  were  passing.  "  Forgive  me,"  the 
latter  exclaimed,  "  for  any  cross  word  I  may  have 
spoken.  Keep  the  girl's  heart  pure  and  innocent. 
Although  things  haven't  turned  out  as  I  hoped, 
they  would,  yet  I  can't  believe  she'll  refuse  my  Joe 
when  he  pops  the  question,  which  he'll  do  some 
time  or  other.  He's  been  backward  and  has  aicted 
very,  very  strange,  while  she's  never  been  willing 
to  own  the  covenant  and  has  never  lost  a  chance 
to  scoff  at  stocks  and  whipping-posts ;  yet  they 
think  alike  about  the  independence  of  the  colonies. 
She  has  a  great  soul  and  ought,  indeed,  to  be  Joe's 
wife  !  Be  sure  Pmdence,  and  have  her  curls  cut 
off  again ;  try  and  have  it  done  at  New  London  or 
some  other  stopping  place  on  the  way.  Let  it  not 
be  said  in  Boston  that  a  maiden  of  this  godly 
town  was  given  over  to  vanity.  And  so,  dear  friend, 
the  Lord  will  one  day  reward  you," 


276  '  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

As  she  finished  speaking,  the  bugle  sounded,  and 
waving  farewell  to  her,  the  goodwife  and  Lydia 
proceeded  to  join  the  cavalcade  on  the  green.  In- 
stead of  holding  the  reins,  however,  Miss  Garlic 
buried  her  fingers  deep  in  her  horse's  mane,  and 
gave  unmistakable  evidence  of  the  fear  she  had  of 
being  tossed  out  of  the  saddle.  Lydia,  on  the  con- 
trary, sat  erect,  and  but  for  her  companion  would 
have  dashed  off  at  full  speed  ;  while  Puritan  arched 
his  neck  and  you  could  tell  by  the  way  he  snorted 
and  pranced  that  he  was  in  just  the  mood  to  show 
off  his  powers. 

"It  may  be  my  last  chance,"  thought  Wads- 
worth,  who  had  stood  an  instant  with  a  heart  throb- 
bing as  if  it  would  burst,  watching  the  girl  as  she 
left  him ;  "  aye,  it  may  be  my  last  chance.  No, 
no,  I'll  not  risk  waiting  until  she  returns  ;  dear 
knows  when  that  may  be  ;  now  or  never  I  will 
speak  my  love.  Nancy  is  not  present,  and  what  if 
8he  were  ?  no,  no,  I  will  not  be  stopped  again. 
Increase  Mather,  great  and  holy  man  though  he 
be,  is  not  gifted  with  infallible  wisdom.  I'll  brave 
his  counsel.  With  this  he  hastened  after  Lydia, 
and  thrusting  his  trembling  arm  through  the  bridle 
drew  Puritan  to  the  other  side  of  the  road,  and  as 
far  as  possible  from  Goody  Garlic. 

"  Miss  Goffe,"  he  began,  in  a  voice  which  seemed 
to  come  from  the  deepest  depths  of  his  soul,  "  you 


CHARTER   OAK.  277 

are  going  away ;  jou  leave  me  alone  and  in  dark- 
ness !  I  shall  care  for  nobody  when  3^ou  are  ab- 
sent ;  you  have  been  more  than  sunlight  to  me  / 
Oh  Lydia !  I  love  you,  I  love  you  more  than  tongue 
can  tell !  Have  I  any  place  in  your  heart  ?  Have 
I  cherished  a  vain  illusion?" 

This  declaration,  although  not  unexpected,  placed 
the  girl  in  a  position  the  embarrasment  of  which 
she  could  not  conceal. 

"  Mr.  Wadsworth,"  she  replied,  after  a  brief 
pause  and  looking  full  at  him,  "  If  the  esteem  of 
one  like  me  be  worth  having,  you  have  it  indeed. 
I  honor  you  for  your  devotion  "to  the  liberties  of 
Connecticut.  To  you  I  am  indebted  for  .affording 
my  aged  parent  a  comfortable  home.  Oh,  Mr. 
Wadsworth,  in  all  things  save  one,  you  can  com- 
mand and  I  will  obey ;  but  if  you  ask  me  for  my 
hand  and  heart  I  must  say  No.  My  words  may 
grieve  you,  it  gives  me  no  less  pain  to  speak  them. 
Let  us  part  friends  ;  oh  yes,  shake  hands,  there  are 
other  girls  besides  me  in  the  world — there  is  one 
especially  who  thinks  you  are  above  all  other  men, 
who  I  do  believe  woi'ships  you.  In  her  you  would 
fiad  a  helpmate  indeed  and  a  comforter.  Nancy 
Clark  is  not  a  woman  such  as  we  meet  every  day. 
And  when  you  have  taken  her  to  your  home,  still 
keep  in  view  the  great  object  of  your  life.  Brighter 
days  are  coming  ;  cheer  up.     You  here,  I  in  Bos- 


^78  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

ton,  will  both  labor  for  the  same  glorious  end — ^In- 
dependence !" 

Wadsworth — who  while  she  had  gone  on  speak- 
ing had  gazed  in  her  face  with  the  expression  of 
one  listening  to  his  death  sentence — did  not  open 
his  lips  when  she  had  finished — his  arm  slipped 
through  the  bridle,  and  spurning  the  hand  which 
was  stretched  towards  him,  he  turned  away  with  a 
look  which  haunted  the  regicide's  daughter  all  the 
daj's  of  her  life. 

The  bugle  which  was  sounding,  the  crisp  autumn 
air,  even  the  liandsome  officer  whom  she  saw  gal- 
loping towards  her  (3ould  not  at  once  raise  her 
spirits  ;  and  often  during  that  day,  and  the  next, 
and  the  next,  she  would  murmur,  "Poor  Wads- 
worth,  poor  Wadsworth !" 

Henry  Synnot  who  had  expected  to  find  her  a 
little  downcast  after  parting  with  her  father,  saluted 
her,  then  instead  of  engaging  in  conversation, 
wheeled  his  horse  alongside  of  the  goodwife  and 
left  the  girl  for  awhile  to  her  ow^n  meditations. 
Lydia  did  not  heed  the  staring  eyes  turned  upon 
her  as  she  passed  along  the  street  Mad  Adams 
scowled :  the  tall  woodman,  who  had  been  so 
anxious  to  have  one  of  her  curls  to  hang  on  his 
pike,  gaped  and  shook  his  head ;  Mr.  Philbrick 
spread  out  his  hands  and  exclaimed,  "  who'd  a 
thought  it !  who'd  a  thought  it !"     And  Mrs.  Phil- 


CHARTER  OAK.  279 

brick  responded  ;  "  I'd  a  thought  it !  I'd  a  thought 
it !  she's  none  too  good  for  such  company.  A  girl 
who  never  but  once  showed  herself  at  meeting,  who 
always  took  the  part  of  the  godless  widow  Bull,  is 
better  away  than  in  our  midst.  Already  she  has 
done  harm  enough  ;  my  Dorothy  ain't  the  cherub 
she  used  to  be,  and  Faith  Genness  always  has  a 
crying  spell  now,  whenever  her  mother  clips  her 
hair.  Oh,  Mr.  Philbrick,  let  us  rejoice  that  this 
beautiful,  but  headstrong  and  mysterious  creature 
is  about  to  leave  us.  She  appeared  among  us  sud- 
denly, I  never  could  make  out  where  she  had  for- 
merly dwelt,  and  now  indeed  she's  in  fit  company. 
So  don't  say  '  who'd  a  thought  it,'  for  I  thought  it 
all  along,  I  knew  that  she  belonged  to  Beelzebub. 
Her  husband  made  no  response,  but  kept  his  hands 
spread  out  until  the  girl  had  crossed  the  bridge, 
and  was  hidden  from  view  ;  then  gazing  around  he 
wondered  where  the  ruling  elder  could  be. 

"  Wherever  he  is,"  thought  Mr.  Philbrick,  "  I'm 
sure  he's  as  much  taken  aback  as  I  am.  Oh  what 
a  pity,  what  a  pity  that  such  a  brave,  handsome 
lass  should  be  willing  to  sell  herself  to  Andros  !  I 
knew  by  the  way  his  Excellency  stared  at  her  last 
evening  in  the  court  chamber,  that  he  had  con- 
ceived an  unholy  passion  ;  but  I  did  not  think  she'd 
sell  herself  ;  no,  no,  I  did  not." 

While  Dorothy's  worthy  parent  was  thus  solilo- 


280  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

quizing,  Lydia  suddenly  found  her  course  arrested 
by  the  gaunt  figure  of  Israel  Barebones,  who  with 
both  hands  had  seized  the  horse's  bit. 

"  Stop,  young  woman,"  he  cried  ;  "  stop,  you  go 
not  from  our  midst  without  a  word  of  advice.  You 
are  one  born  to  do  much  good  or  much  evil.  Ifou 
fear  not  the  point  of  a  sword ;  but  for  you,  I  might 
have  been  slaughtered  yesterday  in  the  court  cham- 
ber.  Preserve  ever  the  same  undaunted  spirit,  and 
in  all  things  defend  the  rehgion  of  the  Puritans  as 
yesterday  you  defended  me.  Abhor  that  flag  with 
the  cross  upon  it — "  here  he  turned  and  pointed 
towards  the  standard  bearer,  who  was  riding  a 
short  distance  ahead ;  "  bow  not  to  the  Bishop, 
whom  I  hear  Sir  Edmund  is  expecting ;  pray  for 
strength,  the  temptations  in  your  path  will  be  great. 
Since  you  came  to  Haitford,  you  have  disappointed 
almost  everybody  ;  but  I  cherish  the  belief,  that 
it  was  only  your  youth  and  buoyant  spirits  which 
caused  you  to  revolt  against  our  church  laws. 
You  go  hence  for  a  noble  purpose.  Mr.  Wads- 
worth  this  morning  told  me  all  about  it,  and  I 
much  regret  that  I  have  not  had  time  to  spread  the 
news  among  the  people,  who  are  now  so  scandal- 
ized at  the  company  you  are  in.  May  the  Al- 
mighty vouchsafe  you  a  triumph  !  and  if  we  recover 
the  lost  school  land,  and  other  things  of  which  we 
have  been  deprived,  without  the  shedding  of  blood, 


CHARTER  Oak.  281 

it  will  be  thanks  to  you,  young  woman.  Now  fars- 
well,  and  my  blessing  go  with  you."  At  these 
words,  Lydia  bowed  her  head — as  much  perhaps  to 
spite  Governor  Andros,  who  was  riding  close  by, 
\  as  out  of  reverence  for  the  venerable  speaker. 
!  "  Aye  sir,"  she  replied,  "  I  have  disappointed 
you.  The  fire  and  brimstone  sermon,  which  I 
heard  when  I  first  arrived  in  Hartford,  so  filled 
me  with  disgust  that  I  could  not  go  to  meeting 
again.  I  abhor  your  ducking-stools  and  whipping- 
posts ;  but  as  little  will  I  hke  the  rule  of  a  Bishop, 
judging  by  the  acts  of  Laud  and  other  mitred 
preachers  of  the  gospel.  Now,  sir,  good-bye,  and 
thanks  for  your  blessing ;  you  are  not  without 
virtue,  and  if  you  never  performed  another  kind  act, 
what  you  have  already  done  for  the  widow  Japheth 
will  give  you  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord.  Once 
more  good-bye !" 

"With  this,  Lydia  pursued  her  way,  glancing  a 
moment  at  Sir  Edmund,  to  see  how  he  took  her 
interview  with  the  ruHng  elder,  and  rather  pleased 
at  the  scowl  on  his  face. 

"  She's  not  abashed  by  my  presence,"  whispered 
his  Excellency  to  Henry  Synnot ;  "  and  had  I 
pricked  my  sword  against  that  old  fool's  ribs,  I 
verily  believe  she'd  have  tried  to  do  battle  with  me 
as  she  did  with  the  soldier  yesterday.  By  the 
King,  was  there  ever  such  a  beautiful  creature  I 


282  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

Many  a  Princess  might  go  wild  with  jealousy 
And  how  gracefully  she  sits  the  palfrey,  which 
seems  to  know  that  it  has  no  coward  on  its  back." 

"  Aye,  your  Excellency,  she  is  most  bewitching," 
returned  the  officer,  "  and  the  steed  is  worthy  of  the 
rider.  It  belongs  to  the  Narragansett  breed  and 
was  given  her  by  the  Captain  of  the  Hartford 
train-band." 

"  Ah !  By  Joseph  Wadsworth,  about  whom  Mr. 
Clark  used  to  write  ?  Well,  right  glad  am  I  that 
he  is  willing  to  part  with  his  horse,  which  doubt- 
less was  of  good  service  when  he  travelled  from 
town  to  town  organizing  an  insurrection.  I  take  it 
as  a  sign  that  in  future  the  rebel  means  to  stay  at 
home  and  think  more  of  the  plow  than  of  the 
sword.  But,  Captain,  what  is  this  maiden's  name  ? 
I  cannot  tell  you  how  she  impresses  me,  and  I 
heartily  thank  you  for  having  prevailed  on  her  to 
join  Lady  Andros.  In  fact,  were  she  not  de- 
scended from  the  low  born  herd  who  came  over 
in  the  Mayflower,  I  might  say  to  you,  *  there's  a 
chance  for  a  wife.'  "    Here  Andros  laughed. 

Without  taking  part  in  the  merriment  his  aid-de- 
camp informed  him  that  the  young  woman's  name 
was  Lydia  GarHc,  that  she  was  firmly  attached  to 
her  native  land,  and  thoroughly  imbued  with  the 
principles  which  Wadsworth  advocated. 

"She  consented  to  go  to  Boston,'*   he   added 


CHARTER   OAK.  283 

**  only  when  I  had  assured  her  that  she  might,  by 
so  doing,  recover  the  school  laud  which  you  took 
away  from  the  people  of  Hartford." 

"  Well,  I'll  try  and  not  disappoint  the  lass,"  pur- 
sued the  governor,  who,  in  his  heart,  had  no  inten- 
tion of  keeping  his  word.  "I'm  very  glad  you 
have  discovered  what  her  feeUngs  are  in  regard  to 
political  matters,  and  I  shall  so  manage  my  tongue 
as  not  to  give  offence.  Do  you  know  it  would  not 
surprise  me  if  she  were  the  one  who  snatched  the 
charter  from  the  table  last  evening." 

While  they  were  thus  conversing,  Lydia  and  the 
goodwife  had  allowed  their  horses'  pace  to  slacken, 
and  had  fallen  a  little  in  the  rear,  for  the  girl  did 
not  fancy  being  stared  at  by  Andros,  and  this  posi- 
tion they  maintained  until  they  had  almost  reached 
the  cabin  of  the  widow  Bull.  The  girl  then  rode 
up  to  Synnot,  and  slipping  into  his  hand  the  letter, 
which  contained  the  money  and  seal,  asked  him  to 
deliver  it  to  the  young  woman  whom  he  saw  stand- 
ing in  the  doorway  of  the  house  they  were  ap- 
proaching. "  Tell  her,"  added  Lydia,  "  that  it  is 
for  her  father." 

The  officer  gladly  obeyed,  and  drawing  near  the 
threshold,  made  a  sign  to  Nancy,  who  was  crying  bit- 
terly and  shrank  back  as  she  saw  him  approaching, 

"He's  got  something  for  you,"  said  Mrs.  Bull| 
*'  don't  be  afraid," 


284  ROMANCE    OF   THE 

"  Yes,"  said  Sjnnot,  delivering  the  letter,  and  at 
the  same  time  telling  her  that  it  was  for  Mr.  Clark. 
"  What  harm  do  you  think  I  would  do  joii  ?" 

"  Well,  civil  as  your  speech  is  at  this  moment, 
you're  capable  of  doing  the  devil's  work,"  exclaimed 
the  widow,  folding  her  enormous  arms  and  looking 
him  full  in  the  face — while  the  tarred  rope  dangled 
from  her  apron.  "  You  red  coats  are  as  bad  in  one 
way  as  the  Philistines  are  in  another.  They've 
tried  to  make  me  go  to  Zion  by  a  road  I  ain't  willin' 
to  follow,  while  your  troopers,  last  night,  robbed 
my  hen  roost  and  kept  me  awake  for  hours  and 
hours  with  their  blasphemous  songs.  I'd  heerd 
cussin'  afore  that,  but  never  quite  so  strong." 

"  A  virago  !"  thought  Synnot,  as  he  rejoined  Sir 
Edmund,  who  was  bursting  with  laughter.  "  Yes, 
a  virago,  if  there  ever  was  one." 

"  A  pretty  looking  woman  to  bandy  words  with, 
Captain,"  exclaimed  his  Excellency.  "  Ha,  ha ! 
I've  not  seen  such  a  huge  piece  of  flesh  since  I  left 
merry  old  England — ha,  ha,  ha  !" 

Lydia  did  not  speak  a  word  to  Nancy  as  she 
'rode  past  the  cabin,  but  threw  her  a  kiss,  then 
waving  her  hand,  said  something  to  the  widow. 
The  latter,  however,  was  too  much  engaged  to  pay 
any  attention  to  her — Sir  Edmund's  remarks  had 
reached  the  dame's  ears  and  she  was  brandishing 
the  rope,  shaking  her  fist  like  a  mad  woman,  and 


CHARTER   OAK.  28& 

swearing  by  all  the  sharks  that  if  he  would  ouly 
take  off  his  armor  she  would  diist  his  coat  as  she 
had  once  dusted  the  garment  of  Israel  Barebones. 

Having  now  got  beyond  the  last  house,  the  regi- 
cide's daughter  drew  her  palfrej^  closer  to  the  good- 
wife's  and  began  unfolding  the  reason  of  her  sud^ 
den  departure  from  the  settlement.  Prudence  lis- 
tened without  interrupting  her  until  she  had  finished, 
then  in  a  voice  full  of  emotion,  asked  if  nothing  but 
a  desire  to  serve  the  people  of  Hartford  had  moved 
her  to  take  such  a  step.  "  Tell  me,  child,  are  you 
not  drawai  from  ^^our  poor  father  b}^  yonder  gallant, 
whom  I  recognize  as  the  same  that  rescued  you 
from  the  w^olves?" 

Chagrined  to  think  that  her  old  nurse  could  be- 
lieve her  capable  of  abandoning  her  parent  in  order 
to  follow  Synnot,  Lydia  did  not  immediately  an- 
swer the  question — a  tear  for  a  moment  glistened 
in  her  eye — she  felt  ind:*gnant,  as  well  as  hurt. 
"  No,"  she  said,  at  length,  "  for  no  reason  except  to 
do  good  to  the  people  whom  I  have  just  left,  am  L 
in  Andros'  company.  Oh,  Prudence,  how  could 
you  suspect  such  a  thing?" 

"  But  do  you  not  love  yonder  officer?"  continued 
the  good  wife.  "  Child,  speak  out,  tell  me  all  that 
is  in  your  heart,  so  that  I  may  be  able  to  shield 
you  from  dangers  against  which  I  must  be  power- 
less if  left  in  the  dark.     Let  me  know  the  whole 


286  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

truth — oil,  Ljdia,  beware  ;  remember  jour  assum- 
ed name !" 

"  I  would  rather  converse  on  some  other  subject, 
nurse,"  said  Lydia,  firmly,  yet  with  respect.  "  My 
heart  is  sad  enough ;  do  not  add  to  its  grief  by 
doubting  my  word." 

Prudence  gave  a  sigh,  then  bowing  her  head,  be- 
gan a  prayer,  while  the  girl,  left  to  her  own  medi- 
tations, thought  of  many  things — of  her  home  in 
the  wilderness,  where,  although  her  life  had  been 
monotonous  enough,  she  still  had  passed  happy 
days  ;  -of  the  widow  Japheth  ;  of  Nancy,  who  would 
miss  her  so  much ;  of  her  dear  father,  who,  in  his 
dreams,  would  often  find  himself  in  Boston ;  while 
ever  and  anon  there  would  rise  before  her  a  hag- 
gard face,  on  which  many  a  soul-struggle  had  left 
its  mark ;  and  Lydia  could  not  help  wondering 
what  the  soul  must  be  like  which  could  give  to 
mortal  eye  such  a  reflection  of  its  agony.  If  Wads- 
worth's  countenance,  the  mirror  of  his  immortality, 
could  take  such  an  expression,  what  must  that  por- 
tion of  him  be  like  which  was  never  to  die  ?  Would 
it  carry  forever  and  ever  that  stamp  of  despair  ? 
No,  that  could  not  be ;  Wadsw^orth,  she  felt  sure, 
was  a  good  man,  and  such  a  face  would  not  be  seen 
in  heaven.  Suddenly,  while  these  thoughts  were 
passing  through  her  mind,  the  goodwife  uttered  a 


CHARTER   OAK.  287 

g  iriek,  and  the  girl,  in  alarm,  asked  what  was  tlie 
matter. 

"  My  dream  book,  my  dream  book  !"  exclaimed 
the  dame.  "  I've  left  it  behind,  and  Charity  '11  find 
out  that  I  fibbed,  for  I  didn't  read  her  all  my 
dreams !" 

"  Calm  yourself,  nurse,"  repHed  Lydia,  "1  forgot 
to  tell  you  that  1  have  it  in  my  pocket." 

"  Oh,  indeed  ;  what  a  dear  darling  creature  you 
ai-e  ;  Lydia,  there's  nobody  like  3^ou  in  the  world  !" 

Returning  the  goodwife's  affectionate  words  with 
a  smile,  the  girl  drew  from  her  pocket  an  ancient 
manuscript,  which  the  old  maid  clutched,  and  in 
her  joy  could  not  refrain  from  pressing  to  her 
lips.  But  in  another  moment,  the  dame's  eyes 
turned  in  their  sockets,  her  jaw  fell,  and  Lydia, 
believing  that  she  was  taken  with  a  fit,  seized  her 
arm. 

"  Mercy,  mercy,  mercy  !"  cried  Prudence  ;  '*  It's 
Charity's  dream-book  you've  brought  away,  not 
mine.     Oh  !  dear,  oh  dear,  oh  de?i.r  !" 

It  took  the  old  lady  some  time  to  recover  her 
self-possession  after  this  dreadful  discovery  ;  then 
with  Lydia's  assistance,  the  manuscript  was  un- 
rolled, and  she  began  examining  its  contents,  which 
before  long  brought  a  grin  to  her  face. 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha  !"  she  said,  "  it's  a  fair  exchange  — 


288  EOMANCE  OF  THE 

one  fib  against  another ;  here's  a  dream  that  she 
never  read  to  me  ;  ha,  ha,  ha  !" 

It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  intense  de- 
light  which  this  discovery  caused  Miss  Garlic. 

"A  fair  exchange,  she  again  exclaimed,  when 
she  had  got  to  the  end,  and  thrusting  the  book 
into  her  pocket,  "  a  fair  exchange,  is  no  robbery. 
How  jolly  it  is  to  find  out  other  people's  fibs,  ha, 
ha,  ha !" 

In  the  meanwhile,  Andros  had  gone  on  convers- 
ing with  his  aid-de-camp,  and  speaking  in  a  more 
serious  manner  than  was  his  habit  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  colonies.  He  expressed  wonder  at 
the  progress  which  the  people  had  made  in  self- 
government,  and  declared  his  belief  that  but  for 
the  high-handed  measures  he  had  adopted  the 
scheme  of  Joseph  Wadsworth  might  have  been 
realized.  He  likewise  expressed  satisfaction  at 
not  having  met  Nathaniel  Clark.  "The  fellow," 
said  he,  "  would  doubtless  have  importuned  me 
for  some  more  favors ;  he  must  rest  satisfied  with 
the  school  land."  His  Excellency,  then  went  on 
to  discours-e  about  Increase  Mather,  who  he 
thought  might  attempt  to  escape  to  Eugland,  and 
lay  before  the  King  the  state  of  affairs  in  America. 
"  But  I  shall  keep  a  sharp  watch,  and  he'll  be  cun- 
ninger  than  a   fox,  if    he   eludes   my    vigilance." 


CHARTEB  OAK.  289 

Then  lowering  his  voice,  "  there  is  only  one  thing 
to  be  feared,  and  that  is  revolution  at  home." 

•'It  can  hardly  be  doubted,"  returned  Synnot, 
•' that  the  pe  pie  of  these  colonies  would  then 
make  an  attempt  to  recover  what  they  have  lately 
lost.  Yet,  I  do  not  believe  the  majority  would 
strike  for  independence ;  if  they  enjoyed  local 
self-government,  very  few  would  desire  a  separation 
from  the  mother  country." 

"  You  may  be  right,"  pursued  the  governor. 
*'  One  thing,  however,  leads  to  another,  and  if  our 
royal  master  were  to  allow  them  to  manage  their 
own  affairs,  might  not  their  views  become  in 
lime  more  extended  ?  Ambition  would  be  aroused, 
and  then  Joseph  Wadsworth  might  not  find  him- 
self without  followers." 

*•  1  must  beg  leave  to  differ  with  your  Excel- 
lency," said  Synnot,  speaking  with  earnestness. 
*'  Let  the  freemen  hold  town-meetings,  impose  their 
own  taxes,  and  keep  their  lands  without  being 
forced  to  prove  the  titles,  and  I  declare  my  belief 
that  no  change  in  England  would  make  them  re- 
volt." 

The  officer's  tone  was  such  that  Sir  Edmund 
frowned  ;  then  with  a  scoruful  smile,  "  Methinks," 
he  exclaimed,  "  the  air  of  the  new  World  produces 
marvellous  changes.  Did  I  not  know  you.  Captain, 
as  well  as  I  do,  I  might  imagine  you  were  not  with- 


290  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

out  sympathy  for  these  low-born  fanatics."  Here 
the  conversation  ended,  Henry  Synnot  being  afraid 
that  if  it  went  on  he  might  let  slip  some  remark 
which  would  arouse  the  suspicion  of  Sir  Edmund 
as  to  his  loyalty. 

During  the  day,  Andros  managed  to  engage  in  a 
pleasant  chat  with  Lydia ;  and  the  knowledge 
which  the  girl  displayed  of  history,  her  acquain- 
tance with  the  affairs  of  Europe,  the  correctness 
with  which  she  spoke  her  native  tongue,  increased 
his  admiration  for  her  ;  nor  did  he  administer  the 
slightest  reproof  when  she  reminded  him  that  as  a 
reward  for  the  services  she  was  going  to  render 
Lady  Andros,  he  must  give  back  to  the  town  of 
Hartford  the  land  which  he  had  wrongfully  taken 
away.  Her  company  made  him  far  more  cheer- 
ful than  he  had  been  while  coming  from  Boston, 
and  more  than  once  the  gloomy  forest  which  lined 
the  road  the  whole  distance,  rang  with  laugh- 
ter, caused  by  her  witty  remarks.  At  Provi- 
dence, Goody  Garlic  ventured  to  suggest  the  pro- 
priety of  again  shortening  her  locks ;  but  Lydia 
positively  refused  to  let  the  scissors  go  near  them, 
and  dismissed  the  good  woman  with  a  wave  of  the 
hand,  which  savored  a  little  of  haughtiness.  But 
Bcidcler  yet  was  the  old  nurse's  heart  the  following 
m<jrmng,  when  on  entering  the  girl's  chamber  she 


CHARTER  OAK.  29l 

found  lier  seated  before  a  mirror,  engaged  in  weav- 
ing through  her  hair  a  string  of  pearls. 

"  Alas,"  she  sighed,  "  Beelzebub  hath  his  arms 
around  thee,  Lydia ;  pray,  child,  pray  !"  At  any 
other  time,  the  regicide's  daughter  might  have 
laughed  at  this  over  anxiety  about  her  soul  ;  but 
now  she  seriously  told  Prudence  that  she  was  no 
longer  a  child,  and  that  if  a  gentleman  like  Henry 
Synnot  chose  to  make  her  a  present,  it  was  no  sin 
to  accept  it.  During  the  rest  of  the  journey,  which 
lasted  a  week,  the  goodwife  scarcely  suifered  the 
regicide's  daughter  out  of  her  sight.  Yet  she  did 
not  trouble  her  with  any  exhortations. 

"  Dangers  are  thickening  around  my  darling,*' 
she  would  say.  ''  Vanity,  like  a  weed  is  shooting 
up  and  overshadowing  her  virtues  ;  but  I  will  pray 
for  her,  I  will  pray  ;  all  grace  cannot  yet  have  beeu 
driven  from  her  soul." 

At  length,  to  Prudence's  unspeakable  joy,  they 
arrived  in  Boston,  and  here  let  us  bid  farewell  to 
the  dame  and  her  youthful  charge  ;  many  months 
will  pass,  before  we  meet  them  again. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

The  winter  of  1687-88  was  long  remembered  by 
the  people  of  New  England,  for  its  severity,  and 


2d^  liO.MANCK   OF   TtiV) 

the  mail  which  Audros  had  established  to  go  once 
a  month  between  Boston  and  Hartford^  was  very 
irregular. 

But  whenever  the  postman  did  arrive,  Nancy 
Clark  was  sure  to  get  a  long  letter  from  her  friend, 
describing  her  life  in  Boston,  the  assemblies  she 
attended,  the  people  whom  she  danced  with,  etc  ; 
and  at  the  end  of  the  letter,  Lydia  would  always 
ask  after  Mrs.  Bull,  and  the  widow  Japheth.  What 
she  revealed  concerning  herself  did  not  altogether 
please  the  quiet,  steady  Nancy,  who  once,  but  only 
once  ventured  to  remind  her  that  dancing  was  not 
approved  by  the  church.  Israel  Barebones  was 
never  written  to  ;  yet,  by  every  mail  the  regicide's 
daughter  received  a  missive  from  him,  and  she 
used  laughingly  to  say  that  the  paper  smelt  of 
fire  and  brimstone.  Colonel  Goffe  of  course  heard 
from  Lydia  by  every  occasion,  and  it  greatly  com- 
forted the  old  gentleman  to  know  that  she  was  in 
blooming  health  and  a.  favorite  with  everybody ; 
while  (although  he  had  never  met  him)  he  got 
quite  a  fondness  for  Captain  Synnot,  who  was  so 
faithful  to  the  girl  as  well  as  honorable  in  every- 
thing be  said  and  did. 

As  for  the  widow  Japheth,  she  was  as  bappy  a8 
one  bed-ridden  could  possibly  be.  The  ruling- 
elder  continued  to  send  her  gifts  without  ever  let- 
*  Couu.  Kec.  III.  393. 


CHARTER  OAK.  293 

ting  her  know  the  name  of  her  benefactor;  her 
children  had  never  been  so  warmly  clad  as  this 
winter ;  and  Bob  the  robin  enjoyed  himself  in  a 
new  and  much  larger  cage,  the  work  of  the  same 
hand  which  had  constructed  the  imi^roved  ducking- 
stool.  During  the  long  evenings  Mrs.  Bull,  who 
really  seemed  afraid  of  nobody,  would  come  and 
read  to  her  the  copy  of  Shakespeare  which  Lydia, 
true  to  her  promise,  had  contrived  to  send  by  the 
postman — and  while  she  would  declare  that  she 
liked  the  Tempest  best  because  it  reminded  her  oi 
the  Polly  Ann,  Mrs.  Japheth  would  vow  that 
there  was  nothing  so  good  as  Midsummer  Nights' 
Dream. 

"  And  I'm  sure,"  the  latter  would  add,  "  I'm 
sure  if  my  old  man  were  here  he'd  agree  with  me 
that  Puck  was  the  joiliest  fellow  that  ever  lived." 

Of  Mr.  Clark,  let  us  inform  the  reader,  that  he 
had  duly  received  the  letter  purporting  to  come 
from  Sir  Edmund,  and  as  we  may  imagine  was  in 
the  highest  spirits  ;  in  fact  the  confidential,  friendly 
way  in  which  his  Excellency  had  addressed  him, 
the  hundred  pounds  and  the  seal  with  the  initials 
upon  it  had  well  nigh  turned  his  head.  Bitterly 
did  he  regret  that  he  was  not  able  to  write  and 
thank  the  Governor  for  such  favors ;  and  there 
were  times  when  he  would  think  of  his  daughter 
and  wish  that  she  were  living  with  him  in  order  to 


294  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

act  as  his  amanuensis.  But  lie  did  not  feel  to- 
wards her  as  a  parent  should  have  felt.  The  reve- 
lation which  she  had  made  to  Lydia  of  what  he 
knew  concerning  the  regicide  had  been  an  unpar- 
donable offence,  and  although  Nancy  had  been 
away  from  him  now  several  months,  his  irritation 
against  her  was  as  great  as  the  evening  when  he 
had  turned  her  out  of  doors.  The  young  woman 
would  often  put  herself  in  his  path,  wander  through 
his  corn-field,  watch  by  the  gate  ;  in  fact  she  did 
everything  she  possibly  could  to  attract  his  notice, 
but  all  in  vain — he  was  inexorable. 

And  now  to  speak  i  few  words  of  Dorothy  Phil- 
brick  and  Faith  Genness,  in  whom  the  reader  may 
have  taken  some  little  interest  since  the  ruling- 
elder  had  christened  them  the  Cherubs,  we  will 
merely  relate  that  during  the  summer  of  1688, 
they  were  discovered  among  the  huckleberry  bushes 
— Tom  kissing  Dorothy,  and  the  lad  with  the  moon 
face  taking  the  same  liberty  with  Faith.  Deep  was 
the  groan  which  escaped  the  breast  of  Israel  Bare- 
bones  as  he  watched  them  sinning.  The  young 
folks  heard  him,  and  without  daring  to  look  behind, 
ran  off  as  fast  as  they  could ;  but  Israel,  who  had 
taken  a  short-cut  got  home  before  them,  and  when 
the  culprits  arrived  they  found  a  rod  in  pickle 
which  they  long  remembered.  Tom  and  the  lad 
with  the  moon  face,  besides  being  flogged  till  the 


CHARTER  OAK.  295 

blood  trickled  down  their  heels,  were  made  to  rise 
one  hour  earlier  than  usual  for  six  months  after 
their  transgression,  while  Faith  and  Dorothy  were 
put  on  bread  and  water  for  the  same  number  of 
weeks,  and,  moreover,  sentenced  never  again  to  be 
called  Cherubs. 

During  the  twelvemonth  which  followed  Ljdia's 
departure  a  great  change  came  over  Sioaon  Adams, 
who  more  than  once  neglected  to  close  the  tavern 
at  the  nine  o'clock  bell.  He  likewise  grew  careless 
about  the  quantity  of  liquor  he  dealt  out  to  his 
guests,  until  having  paid  fine  after  fine  the  select- 
men deprived  him  of  his  license.  But  this  was 
not  the  only  misfortune  which  befell  him.  The  rul- 
ing-elder, whose  patience  had  at  length  become 
exhausted,  demanded  one  day  to  know  why  the 
cages  for  sabbath -breakers  had  not  arrived,  wliere- 
upon  Adamfc  broke  into  a  passion,  abused  the 
church,  and  even  went  so  far  as  to  shake  his  fist  at 
the  old  man.  The  consequence  was  that  he  was  a 
second  time  deprived  of  the  title  of  Mr.  But  can 
we  wonder  at  Adams'  conduct  ?  He  firmly  believed 
that  the  strict  customs  of  the  Puritans  had  changed 
the  very  nature  of  Wadsworth,  who  instead  of 
being  cheerful  and  fond  of  company,  had  been  foi 
years  past  gloomy  and  morose  ;  while  Lydia,  if  she 
had  not  been  disgusted  by  the  sermon  she  had 
heard  at  the  meeting-house  shortly  after  her  arri- 


2%  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

val  in  Hartford,  and  by  the  ducking  of  the  widow 
Bull,  might  have  looked  with  more  favor  on  the 
captain  of  the  train-band,  and  perhaps  become  his 
wifo  ;  "  and  then,"  Adams  would  sigh,  "  how  differ- 
ently it  might  all  have  turned  out,  how  differently !" 
But  Wadsworth,  what  of  him  ?     Ask   this  ques- 
tion of   the  people  of  Hartford  and  observe  how^ 
they  will  shake  their  heads.     Be  it  known,  reader, 
that  the  very  morning  after  Lydia  Goffe  had   set 
out  for  Boston,  the  Captain  of  the  train-band  had 
found,  on  entering  his  study,  the  map  of  America 
unrolled  and  with  a  stone  pressing  down  each  cor- 
ner ;  yet  when  he  had  retired  for  the  night  he  had 
left  it  in  the  drawer  of  the  table.     To  see  it  thus  did 
not  astonish  him,  however ;  the  same  mysterious 
power  which  had  brought  it  might  have  come  dur- 
ing the  still  hours  to  make,  perhaps,  some  correc- 
tions. 

"But  do  my  eyes  tell  the  truth?"  he  exclaimed, 
bending  over  the  parchment  and  clasping  his 
hands.  "Good  God,  'tis  cut  in  four  parts!  de- 
stroyed !"  As  he  stood  thus  with  dismay  on  his 
countenance,  he  glanced  at  his  Bible,  which  was 
likewise  open  on  thf^  table — and  across  the  page  lay 
his  dagger  with  the  point  turned  towards  the  fol- 
lowing verses  from  the  Prophet  Ezekiel : 

''Seeing  he  despised  the  oath  by  breaking  the  covenant,  when 
lo,  he  had  given  his  hand,  and  hath  done  all  these  things,  he 
Bliull  not  escape. 


Chabter  oak.  297 

«•  Therefore  tlnis  snith  the  Lord  God  :  As  I  hve.  surely  mine 
oath  that  he  hath  despised,  and  my  covenant  that  he  hath  brok- 
en, even  it  will  I  recompense  on  his  own  head. "' 

When  Wadsworth  had  begun  to  read  he  felt  cer- 
tain it  was  his  own  doom  he  was  going  to  pro- 
nounce. Yet  he  did  not  flinch ;  no,  to  the  last 
word  of  the  nineteenth  verse  he  read.  But  when 
he  had  finished  he  seized  the  dagger  and  driving  it 
down  through  the  sacred  volume  pinned  it  to  the 
table.  "  Why  was  I  born  ?"  he  cried,  "  why  was  I 
bom?"  then  rushing  out  of  the  house  he  went — 
where?  Aye,  this  was  what  no  man  in  the  settle- 
ment, save  one,  could  tell.  His  aunt  Charity  pined 
away  with  grief ;  Israel  Barebones  declared  it  was 
the  strangest  event  which  had  ever  occurred  in 
those  parts  ;  while  the  widow  Japheth  would  say  to 
herself,  "  I  knew  it  would  come  to  this — aye,  poor 
Nancy  Clark— the  Lord  was  patient,  but  He  hath 
taken  revenge  for  her  at  last." 

But  Simon  Adams,  faithful  friend  as  well  as 
trusty  scout,  knew  whither  his  chief  had  fled,  and 
would  often  visit  Lydia  Goffe's  old  home  in  the 
forest  and  speak  comforting  words  to  the  life -weary 
man.  To  all  he  said,  however,  there  came  the  same 
response  :  "  Why  is  light  given  to  a  man  whose  way 
is  hid,  and  whom  God  hath  hedged  in  ?  My  days 
are  past,  my  purposes  are  broken  off,  even  the 
thoughts  of  my  heart."* 

•Job, 


^,8  HOMAi^CE  OF  THE 

Here  let  us  leave  poor  Wadsworth.  If  he  does 
not  pray  himself,  there  is  one  who  remembers  him 
with  every  throb  of  her  heart.  When  she  opens 
her  eyes  in  the  morning  it  is  of  him  she  first  thinks 
^— and  at  night,  as  sleep  steals  over  her,  his  image 
is  the  last  to  fade  from  her  mind.  More  than  once 
has  she  importuned  Adams  to  tell  what  he  knows 
about  the  Captain  of  the  train-band  ;  but  Simon  will 
not  open  his  lips  on  the  subject,  except  to  say  that 
he  is  alive— which  piece  of  information,  small  as  it 
is,  brightens  for  a  moment  Nancy's  pensive  face. 

It  was  perhaps  well  that  "Wadsworth  had  takeu 
Tip  his  abode  in  the  wilderness,  for  the  state  of  the 
country  from  the  autumn  of  1687  to  the  spring  of 
1689  was  gloomy  indeed,  and  to  have  remained  in 
the  settlements  and  witnessed  the  full  effects  of  An- 
dros'  tyranny  would  only  have  deepened  his  sorrow. 
The  people  were  everywhere  ground  down  by  op- 
pression, and  the  ray  of  hope  which  cheered  them 
when  the  news  spread  about  that  Increase  Mather 
had  escaped  the  vigilance  of  Sir  Edmund  and  set 
sail  for  England,  soon  faded  away.  His  mission  to 
the  King  bore  no  fruit,  and  the  spirits  of  the  colo- 
nists sank  lower  than  before.  There  was  one  man 
in  Hartford,  however,  whose  countenance  indicated 
unceasing  joy.  His  tenure  of  the  school  land  had 
been  undisturbed ;  his  second  crop  of  corn  was 
even  better  than   the  first ;    and  Natlianiel  Clark 


CHARTER   OAK.  *29d 

believed  the  liour  was  near  when  Sir  Edmund  would 
send  troops  to  arrest  the  regicide.  "  And  then," 
he  would  say  with  a  chuckle,  "  then  will  come  my 
great  reward — from  my  sovereign's  hands  I  will  re- 
ceive it." 

At  length  the  people  seemed  to  grow  quite  accus- 
tomed to  the  sway  of  Andros,  and  would  shrug 
their  shoulders  whenever  Mad  Adams — who,  having 
lost  his  license  to  keep  the  Bunch  of  Grapes,  had 
resumed  his  wanderings  through  the  different  towns 
— would  chide  them  for  their  despondency  and  tell 
them  that  tlieir  sufferings  would  some  day  come  to 
an  end. 

As  time  wore  on  the  regicide  became  more  and 
more  infirm,  and  the  chances  of  his  ever  leaving 
his  bed  were  so  few  that  Adams  began  seriously  to 
think  of  sending  word  to  Lydia  that  she  must  re- 
turn. Indeed,  what  need  was  there  of  her  staying 
away  any  longer?  Her  mission  had  proved  a 
failure,  for  Andros  had  not  kept  his  promise.  Ac- 
cordingly, after  holding  a  consultation  with  Wads- 
worth,  he  set  out  on  his  journey.  But  some  one  else 
besides  liim  took  the  road  for  Massachusetts.  By 
having  his  ears  wide  open  during  the  day,  and  by 
eavesdropping  at  night,  Mr.  Clark  had  kept  himself 
thoroughly  posted  in  regard  to  Colonel  Goffe  ;  and 
having  become  alarmed  at  his  illness,  and  fearing 
lest  he  might  die  and  be  buried  in  some  secret  spot,^ 


300  HOMANCE  OF  THE 

he  had  determined  to  warn  Andros  that  there  was 
no  thne  to  lose  in  making  him  a  prisoner.  It  was 
with  this  object  in  view  that  Nancy's  father  left 
Hartford  within  a  few  hours  of  Simon  Adams. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

Adams  reached  Boston  the  second  day  of  April, 
1689,  while  Mr.  Clark  did  not  arrive  until  the 
fourth.  Without  losing  an  hour  (and  he  was  tired 
enough  dear  knows  to  have  taken  some  rest)  the 
former  keeper  of  the  Bunch  of  Grapes  proceeded 
to  tho  Governor's  mansion,  determined  at  all  haz- 
ards to  have  an  interview  with  Lydia,  and  tell  her 
of  her  father's  failing  health.  Knowing  his  pas- 
sionate temper  Wadsworth  had  cautioned  him  to 
be  very  discreet,  and  should  he  have  occasion  to 
address  Henry  Synnot,  to  do  it  respectfully  and 
above  all  to  makfr  no  threats,  which  would  only  re- 
sult in  bringing  himself  into  trouble.  But  during 
his  solitary  journey  Adams  had  done  nothing  but 
brood  over  the  past ;  he  had  recalled  the  visits 
which  he  had  paid  Lydia  in  the  wilderness ;  how 
from  childhood  to  womanhood  she  had  been  in  his 
eyes  the  destined  bride  of  the  chief  of  the  Hart- 
ford train-band ;  and  although,  as  we  have  remarked 


CHARTER   OAK.  301 

in  the  previous  chapter,  Adams  attributed  the 
failure  of  his  cherished  plans  to  the  harsh  religion 
of  the  Puritans — which  had  changed  Wadsworth's 
very  nature  and  made  the  girl  shrink  from  a  being 
so  stern  and  morose — yet  he  could  not  find  it  in  his 
heart  to  forgive  the  British  officer  for  having  per- 
suaded her  to  leave  her  aged  parent.  "  Aye,  let 
them  talk  as  they  will,"  he  would  say — "  Charity 
anJ  Wadsworth  and  Nancy  Clark  are  all  mistaken; 
the  school  land  may  have  had  something  to  do 
with  it ;  but  I  say  it's  love  that  mado  her  leave 
Hartford.     Oh,  Lydia  Goffe  !  Lydia  Goffe  !" 

While  he  was  on  his  way  to  the  Governor's 
house,  he  met  Christian,  who  we  have  omitted  to 
tell  the  reader,  had  followed  his  mistress  to  Boston; 
and  although  at  one  time,  Adams  had  not  reposed 
much  confidence  in  the  Pequot,  yet  the  skilful 
manner  in  which  the  youth  had  decoyed  Nathaniel 
Clark  to  Windsor,  eighteen  months  before,  and  kept 
him  there  during  Sir  Edmund's  stay  in  Hartford, 
had  dissipated  all  suspicion,  and  now  he  welcomed 
him  with  open  arms.  But  Simon's  face  became 
grave  again  when  he  heard  that  Lydia  had  gone 
on  a  visit  to  Plymouth,  in  the  company  of  Lady 
Andros  and  Captain  Synnot,  and  might  not  be 
back  for  several  days.  The  honest  fellow  could 
not  but  believe  there  was  danger  in  delay.  Ever 
since  the  memorable  31st  of  October,  1687,  he  had 


302  ROMANCJIL    OF   THE 

scarcely  once  allowed  Nancy's  father  to  go  out  ol 
his  sight — fearing  lest  this  cunning  partisan  of  Sir 
Edmund,  who  he  knew  was  keeping  watch  over  the 
house  where  Lydia's  parent  lay  concealed,  might 
discover  how  he  had  been  duped,  when  of  course 
he  would  speed  to  Boston  and  reveal  it  to  the  ty- 
rant. 

"  Even  now,"  muttered  Adams,  as  he  turned  and 
left  the  Pequot,  Nat  Clark  may  be  on  the  road  ; 
God  help  us  if  he  meets  the  Governor." 

For  two  days  Simon  anxiously  awaited  Lydia's 
return,  and  so  constantly  did  he  linger  about  the 
Governor's  mansion,  that  the  sentinel  on  duty  there 
was  more  than  once  tempted  to  ask  him  his  busi- 
ness. He  met  the  Pequot  several  times  again, 
but  did  not  speak  to  him,  being  very  much  out  of 
humor,  and  people  remarked  what  a  fierce  look  he 
had.  "  Delay  is  dangerous,"  he  would  repeat, 
"  delay  is  dangerous,  and  when  the  girl  does  get 
back  to  Captain  Joe's,  it  may  be  too  late.  Oh 
what  a  fool  I  was,  not  to  have  my  own  will.  What's 
the  difference  between  one  man  facing  another, 
and  sticking  a  poignard  in  his  ribs,  and  a  train- 
band fighting  a  troop  of  Britishers  ?  It's  blood- 
shed either  way.  Aye,  if  I'd  been  allowed  to  kill 
that  villain  Clark,  and  this  officer,  and  the  tyrant 
Andros,  everything  would  have  gone  right.  I 
could  have  done  it  once  easily  enough.     Where 


CHARTER   OAK.  303 

would  have  been  the  harm  ?  I'd  only  have  fcfiken  a 
short  cut,  whereas  Captain  Joe  has  been  h, boring 
to  attain  his  end  by  a  round-about  w  ly,  n.nd  one 
which  would  have  cost  far  more  lives.  N^  w,  when 
it's  too  late,  he  finds  his  scheme  falling  .o  pieces. 
One  arm  like  this,  one  dagger  such  a  /  I  carry, 
would  have  been  worth  all  the  trail  bands  on 
which  Wadsworth  once  placed  his  hope^ii  for  inde- 
pendence !" 

The  third  morning  after  his  arrivixl  in  Boston^ 
Adams  had  taken  his  usual  stand  to  watch  for 
Lydia,  who,  the  Pequot  had  informed  him,  had  re- 
turned late  the  previous  evening  from  Plymouth. 
His  angry  mood  was  still  upon  him,  and  he  ;icowled 
at  everybody  that  passed  the  Governoi's  gate. 
Suddenly  after  he  had  been  waiting  at  his  post 
about  half  an  hour,  he  heard  the  tramp  of  many  feet 
approaching,  and  turning  round  beheld  a  crowd 
of  men  and  boys  rushing  up  the  street.  They 
were  without  arms,  and  appeared  very  much  excit- 
ed. Presently  they  reached  the  spot  where  he  was 
standing,  and  tossing  into  the  air  their  hats  and 
caps,  yelled  with  all  their  might,  "  Hurrah  for 
William  of  Orange  !  hurrah  !"  Then  obeying  a 
signal  from  their  leader,  they  continued  their  way 
through  the  town,  and  Adams  could  hear  them  at; 
frequent  intervals  giving  vent  to  the  joy  they  felt 
at  the  coming  of  a  deliverer.     Andros,  who  had 


304  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

heard  the  shouting,  immediately  calh^d  his  wife 
and  whispered  the  dreadful  news — at  the  same 
time  he  cheered  her  with  tlic  hope  that  it  might  be 
only  rumor,  while  Captain  J^ynnot  hast  med  to  tell 
it  to  Lydia,  whom  he  met  leaving  her  apartment, 
accompanied  by  good  wife  Garlic.  Then  begging 
the  girl  to  take  his  arm  he  hurried  with  her  into 
the  street,  saying  as  they  went,  "  oh,  Lydia,  our 
happy  hour  has  come  ;  something  t  jIIs  me  the  news 
is  true — King  James  is  no  longer  king." 

They  had  scarcely  reached  the  main  entrance 
of  the  house  when  the  regicide's  daugliter  give  a 
start,  and  pointed  at  a  roughdooking  individual, 
who  was  sullenly  moving  away  at  the  command  of 
tlio  guard. 

'* 'T:s  Adams,''  she  cried,  withdrawing  her  arm 
and  hastening  towards  her  old  friend.  "  Yes,  yes, 
'tis  A<lams  !"  In  jinother  moment  she  was  by  his 
side.  "Oh,  Simon,  how  glad  I  am  to  see  you,"  sh-e 
exclaimed  ;  then  dropping  her  voice,  "  how  is  dear 
father  ?" 

"Humph!  'tis  on  his  account  I  am  here,  Miss 
Lydia,"  replied  Adams.  "  If  ever  you  expect  to 
lay  eyes  on  him  again,  you  musn't  tarry  any  longer 
in  Boston.  Methinks  you'd  have  grown  wearj- 
ere  this  of  playing  the  butterfly — little  good  have 
you  done  the  freemen   of  Hartford.     The   school 


CHARTEE  OAK.  805 

land  is  still  in  the  possession  of  NatLaniel  Clark, 
and " 

"  Oil  yes,  yes,"  returned  Lydia,  pressing  her 
hands  to  her  brow,  "  I  have  been  deceived ;  T 
acknowledge  it.  But  I  did  my  best;  God  who 
reads  our  hearts  knows  that  in  thought,  word  and 
deed  I  have  been  true  to  New  England.  "  But  tell 
me,  is  father  really  so  ill  ?" 

"  He  is  ;  and  you  must  make  haste,  if  you  wish 
to  get  his  blessing  ere  he  exchanges  worlds." 

For  about  a  minute  the  girl  remained  as  if  stupe- 
fied. "  Oh,  if  he  dies  before  I  get  to  him !"  she 
exclaimed  in  a  wailing  tone,  "  I'll  never  forgive 
myself — never,  never." 

"  If  he  does,"  responded 'Adams,  "'twill  be  the 
fault  of  him  who  persuaded  you  to  leave  the  old 
gentleman.  And  here  is  the  coxcomb  approach- 
ing"— as  Simon  spoke  he  put  his  hand  on  his 
dagger.  "  Aye,  but  for  him  you  would  not  have 
broken  the  heart  of  the  noblest  man  in  Connecticut. 
But  I  will  avenge  Captain  Joe ;  I  will,  by  Hea- 
ven !" 

"  Good  God,  do  not  speak  thus,"  exclaimed 
Lydia,  looking  up  and  clasping  her  hands:  "no, 
you  shall  not  wreak  vengance  on  Henry  Synnot. 
Take  my  life  rather  than  his." 

"  I   can  wait,"    muttered   Adams,  with  a  bitter 


.%6  roMakce  of  TrtE 

smile,  and  at  the  same  time  turning  on  his  heel, 
"  mj  message  is  delivered ;  I  can  wait.  But 
sooner  or  later  by  Heaven — "  here  he  glanced  back 
without  finishing  the  sentence,  but  there  was  that 
in  his  countenance,  wMch  caused  the  girl's  cheek 
to  blanch. 

"  Who  is  that  fellow  ?  methinks  I  have  seen  him 
before,"  exclaimed  Sjnnot,  as  soon  as  he  reached 
Ljdia's  side,  and  at  the  same  time  partly  drawing 
his  sword.  "  You  look  troubled  ;  who  is  he  ?  what 
has  he  done  ?" 

"  He  comes  from  Hartford,  and  tells  me  father 
is  very,  very  ill,  and  that  I  must  leave  at  once,  if  I 
expect  to  see  him  again  before  he  dies." 

"  Well,  the  fellow  is  bold  and  merits  your  thanks; 
did  you  observe  how  determined  he  was  not  to  let 
the  guard  drive  him  from  the  door  ?" 

Here  Synnot.  heard  Andros  calling,  and  excus- 
ing himself,  hastened  to  join  the  Governor. 

"  What  news  did  that  fellow  bring,  who  was  talk- 
ing to  Miss  Lydia  a  moment  ago  ?"  inquired  his 
Excellency  in  a  nervous  tone. 

"  Oh,  no  news,"  replied  the  officer ;  "  at  least  he 
said  nought  about  what  the  people  were  shouting.'* 

"Well,  the  young  lady's  actions  seemed  to  indi- 
cate that  he  had  told  her  something  of  import ;  I 
was  watching  from  the  window  above." 

"Yes,  she  looks  pale  and   anxious,"   remarked 


CHAllTER   OAK.  307 

Lady  Audros,  coming  up  and  resting  her  hand  on 
her  husband's  shoulder. 

"  Perhaps  he  is  from  Connecticut,"  pursued  the 
Governor,  "  where  doubtless  her  kinfolk  are  won- 
dering how  a  Puritan  lass  should  have  become  so 
attached  to  my  court.  Mayhap  they  are  wishing 
her  to  return  home." 

''Your  Excellency  has  guessed  the  truth,"  replied 
Synnot,  whose  eye  was  following  Adams,  and  long- 
ing for  the  latter  to  be  out  of  sight.  "  One  of  her 
family  is  dangerously  ill ;  it  would  please  her  much 
could  she  return  to  Hartford." 

"  Well,  that  I  leave  entirely  to  her  ladyship,"  an- 
swered Sir  Edmund,  glancing  at  his  wife,  "  who 
doubtless  will  see  the  imprudence  of  allowing  her 
maid  of  honor  to  depart  and  spread  the  rumor  that 
James  the  Second  is  dethroned.  No,  no,  she  had 
better  remain.  Neither  will  it  do  to  let  yonder  fel- 
low go  back  with  such  news !  Go  bid  him  stay ; 
arrest  him  and  have  him  put  in  some  secure  place." 

Synnot,  obeying  the  order  he  had  received,  fol- 
lowed Adams  with  a  beating  heart,  and  most  mxr- 
cerely  did  he  wish  that  the  latter  might  escape.      :^ 

"  Pray  God  the  news  be  true,"  he  said  to  him- 
self as  he  hurried  along  the  street^  "  and  that  King 
James  has  been  overthrown.  All  my  heart  and 
soul  is  in  the  cause  of  the  Prince  of  Orange ;  he 
will  prove  a  wiser  monarch,  and  Miss  Goffe  will 


308  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

not  then  refuse  to  become  my  bride.     Long  live 
William  of  Orange  !" 

Had  Synnot  not  been  afoot  he  might  have  over- 
taken Adams  and  at  least  made  an  attempt  to  carry 
out  the  Governor's  order — although  there  is  little 
doubt  that  the  former  keeper  of  the  Bunch  of 
Grapes  would  have  laughed  in  his  face  and  made 
good  his  escape  even  at  the  expense  of  blood  ; 
but  when  the  officer  was  yet  fifteen  or  twenty 
paces  behind,  Simon  tore  loose  the  bridle  of  a 
horse  which  had  been  left  fastened  to  a  post 
in  the  street,  then  springing  into  the  saddle  gave 
his  pursuer  another  scowling  look  and  galloped  off. 

Synnot  had  scarcely  abandoned  the  chase  when 
he  heard  a  voice  calling,  and  turning  beheld  Lydia 
running  towards  him. 

"  Henry  !  Henry !  come  back,"  cried  the  girl  in 
a  frantic  tone.  "Adams  is  mad — even  now  he 
might  wheel  round  and  fire  at  you." 

Scarcely  had  she  uttered  these  words  when  she 
gave  a  shriek  and  pointed  at  an  object  ahead  of 
them.  "  Flee,  Henry,  flee !  lose  not  an  instant," 
she  continued ;  "  yonder  comes  the  traitor  Clark. 
As  soon  as  he  and  Andros  meet  you  will  be  arrested 
Hasten  to  Hartford  ;  tell  the  people  William  oi 
Orange  is  king ;  it  may  rouse  them  from  their 
lethargy  and  give  them  enough  spirit  to  defend  my 
father  should  Sir  Edmund,  as  I  fear  he  will,  des- 


CHABTER  OAK.  309 

patch  troops  to  capture  him."  With  this  she^ 
pressed  her  lover's  hand  and  they  were  about  to 
separate  when  a  voice  close  by  induced  the  officer 
to  tarry  a  moment.  I 

"  Kejoiced  to  meet  you,  Miss  Garlic,  rejoiced  to 
meet  you,"  exclaimed  Nancy's  parent  in  a  defer- 
ential tone  and  raising  his  hat  as  he  approached. 
'Tis  more  than  eighteen  months  since  we  laid  eyes 
on  one  another.  But  tell  me  what  dreadful  news 
is  this  the  people  are  shouting  ?"  As  he  asked  the 
question  he  turned  towards  Synnot,  who  in  spite  of 
Lydia's  earnest  entreaty  to  flee,  was  yet  lingering 
by  her  side. 

The  officer  eyed  him  a  moment  witli  a  look  of 
supreme  contempt,  then  whispering  a  w^ord  in  the 
girl's  ear,  hurried  o£f  to  the  Governor's  stables, 
while  Lydia  at  the  same  instant  turned  away  and 
hastened  back  to  the  mansion,  leaving  Nancy's  fa- 
ther gaping  and  staring  after  her  lover. 

No  sooner  did  she  reach  the  threshold  than  Pru- 
dence, who  read  in  her  face  that  some  untoward 
event  had  happened,  stopped  her,  and  asked  what 
was  the  matter.  "  Keep  no  secrets  form  me,  child,' 
she  said,  "  keep  no  secrets." 

"  Father  is  dying,"  answered  Lydia,  "I  received 
the  news  from  Adams,  and  am  going  home  as  soon 
as  possible.  I  would  not  have  returned  here  ex- 
cept to  warn  you   of  my  speedy  departure   from 


310  KOMA^CE  OF  THE 

Boston,  and  at  the  same  time  to  destroy  some 
letters,  which  I  do  not  wish  to  fall  into  strangers' 
hands.  When  that  is  done,  I  am  off.  You  can 
follow  after  me  in  the  company  of  Christian." 

"  May  the  Almighty  spare  your  dear  father's 
life !"  sighed  the  old  nurse,  the  tears  starting  to 
her  eyes.     "  But,  child,  how  you  tremble  !" 

^'And  I  have  cause  to,"  replied  Lydia.  "God 
help  me!"  Then  perceiving  Mr.  Clark  again  quite 
near,  she  darted  up  the  stairway. 

In  another  moment  Nancy's  father,  with  un- 
covered head  and  a  most  obsequious  look,  was 
greeting  Sir  Edmund,  who,  arm-in-arm  with  his 
wife,  had  been  promenading  up  and  down  the  hall, 
conversing  in  undertones. 

*'  Who  is  this  fellow  ?  I  know  him  not."  mut- 
tered the  Governor. 

*'  A  shrewd  knave,  I  judge,"  whispered  Lady 
Andros ;  "  yet,  from  his  bearing  I  warrant  he  is 
loyal ;  the  guard  would  not  have  admitted  him  so 
readily,  if  he  did  not  carry  some  pledge  of  fidelity 
to  the  King.  But  I  will  leave  you  to  discover  his 
business."  With  this  her  ladyship  turned  and  fol- 
lowed after  Lydia. 

"  I  have  traveled  many  miles  to  see  your  Ex- 
cellency," were  Mr.  Clark's  first  woids  "  Long  live 
King  James !" 

"  Go  on  and  tell  your  business,"  returned  the 


CHAPTER  OAK.  Sll 

Governor,  impatiently.  "  Donbtless  you  bring 
some  vague  rumor,  to  confirm  what  the  rabble  are 
drumming  in  our  ears. 

"  I  heard  them  cheering  for  William  of  Orange," 
returned  Mr.  Clark  ;  "  but  I  attach  no  importance 
to  what  fools  say.  What  I  have  to  communicate, 
does  not  relate  to  the  affairs  of  the  old  world." 

"  Well,  well,  go  on  and  speak  your  business," 
exclaimed  the  Governor.  "  But  hold  a  moment." 
Then  beckoning  to  one  of  the  guard,  he  bade  him 
in  a  low  voice  proceed  to  the  fort  and  warn  the  com- 
mandant to  use  increased  vigilance,  and  have 
every  cannon  loaded.  He  likewise  sent  word  to 
the  Captain  of  the  frigate  Kose,  to  have  his  ship 
cleared  for  action.  Having  given  these  instructions, 
Andros  signified  to  Mr.  Clark  that  he  was  ready  to 
listen  to  him. 

"  Your  Excellency,"  began  Nancy's  father — draw- 
ing himself  up  as  if  he  felt  the  importance  of  what 
he  was  about  to  communicate — "  I  am  Nathaniel 
Clark,  of  Hartford,  Connecticut." 

"  Oh,  indeed  !  well,  'tis  long  since  I  have  had 
any  report  from  j^ou  ;  you  were  once  a  good  corre- 
spondent. But  before  you  explain  your  silence,  let 
me  express  thanks  for  the  map  which  you  sent  me 
several  years  ago,  of  Hartford  and  its  vicinity,  as 
well  as  for  the  general  information  you  gave  con- 
cerning the  colony  of  Connecticut." 


01'^  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

"  No  thanks,  jour  Excellency,  no  thanks  !  I 
only  did  my  duty  to  my  King  in  thus  serving  his 
faithful  Governor.  Let  me  rather  express  my 
gratitude  for  the  land  which  you  bestowed  upon 
me,  and  which  has  yielded  bountiful  crops.  The 
hundred  pounds  too,  showed  3"Our  generous  heart ; 
while  as  for  the  seal,  I  shall  treasure  it  to  the  end 
of  my  days." 

At  these  w^ords,  Andix)S  stared  at  the  speaker 
with  a  look  of  pity ;  then  shrugging  his  shoulders, 
"  poor  fellow,"  he  said,  half  aloud,  "  his  brain  is 
turned.  Yet  in  his  foolish  speech  there  may  be  a 
glimmer  of  truth ;  I  certainly  lost  my  private  seal 
when  I  was  in  Hartford." 

At  this  remark  Mr.  Clark  rubbed  his  forehead. 
*'  What  does  it  mean  ?"  he  asked  himself.  "  I 
taken  for  a  madman  !  Has  not  the  news  of  a 
revolution  in  England  rather  turned  the  head  of 
his  Excellency  ?  Alas !  I  fear  so."  Then  assuring 
Sir  Edmund  that  he  was  perfectly  sane  he  craved 
a  few  minutes'  audience.  "  I  have  ridden,"  he  said 
"  nearly  without  stopping  all  the  way  from  Hart- 
ford, and  if  you  refuse  to  hear  what  I  have  to  say, 
I  will  return  home  the  most  disconsolate  man  in 
New  England ;  and  will,  moreover,  have  to  walk 
the  whole  distance,  for  my  nag  has  been  stolen." 

"  Stolen  !" 

**  Aye,  and  I  fear  I  may  have  hard  work  to  re- 


CHAPtTEK   OAK.  31^> 

cover  Lim.  A  fellow  whom  I  know  to  be  in  the 
Bervice  of  Joseph  Waclsworth  is  the  thief." 

"  Indeed !  I  noticed  a  suspicious  looking  man 
talking  with  my  chief  of  staff  a  while  ago,  and  I 
ordered  the  Captain  to  arrest  him  ;  so  then  the 
knave  is  likely  to  escape,  unless  the  officer,  who 
perhaps  has  gone  for  his  own  steed,  may  overtake 
him.  But  now  with  your  story  ;  I  will  listen,  even 
if  you  be  mad." 

Concealing  his  kritation  Mr.  Clark  proceeded  as 
follows : 

"Obedient  to  the  instructions  which  your  Ex- 
cellency gave  me  in  the  letter,  written  during  your 

stay  in  Hartford" at  the  mention  of  the  word 

letter  Andros  again  smiled — "  I  have  kept  a  strict 
watch  on  the  regicide,  and  am  haj^py  to  report  that 
he  is  still  concealed  in  the  house  of  Joseph  Y/ads- 
worth,  but  so  ill  that  I  fear  he  may  die  before  you 
•  can  arrest  him." 

Here  the  speaker  paused,  and  drawing  the  missive 
and  seal  from  his  pocket,  handed  them  to  the  Gov- 
ernor. The  latter  took  them  ;  then  with  a  smile  still 
on  his  face  began  to  read  the  letter.  But  as  he 
went  on,  his  expression  changed  to  one  of  unfeigned 
astonishment. 

"  it  is  very  like  her  handwritiug  !"  he  exclaimed, 
when  he  came  to  the  end.     "  Yos,  very !    Where 


314  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

is  Captain   Symiot  ?     He  could  unravel  this  mys- 
tery at  once/' 

*•  He  went  off  in  that  direction  your  Excellency," 
answered  Mr.  Clark,  pointing  up  the  street.  "  Vnd 
let  me  add  that  he  acted  very  strangely  when  I 
met  him ;  while  Goffe's  daughter,  who  had  just 
been  whispering  something  in  his  ear,  also  turned 
her  back  on  me." 

Here  Sir  Edmund  beckoned  to  an  officer,  and  in 
a  low  tone  ordered  him  to  arrest  Synnot.  "  Take 
a  squad  of  soldiers  with  you,"  he  said,  "  and  be 
quick ;  you  will  likely  find  him  at  the  stables — I 
doubt  if  he  has  had  time  to  escape." 

"  Does  your  Excellency  suspect  him  of  treason?" 
whispered  Mr.  Clark,  whose  sharp  ear  had  over- 
heard the  order.  "  He  certainly  was  most  faithful 
in  bearing  dispatches  to  Governor  Treat,  and 
seemed  greatly  pleased  when  I  told  him  that  I  had 
discovered  the  regicide's  hiding-place." 

Andros  made  no  reply  but  shook  his  head,  and 
for  several  minutes  did  not  open  his  lips.  *'  Aye," 
at  length  he  exclaimed,  '*'  the  whole  thing  is  clear 
to  me  now.  When  I  first  laid  eyes  on  the  girl  in 
the  court  chamber  at  Hartford,  I  saw  that  she  was 
no  common  woman.  Doubtless,  'twas  she  who 
snatched  away  the  charter  as  I  was  about  to  grasp 
it,  and  by  a  most  ingenious  forgeiy  has  been  able 
to  protect  her  father  from  falling  into  my  power  ; 


CHARTER   OAK.  315 

for  you  must  know  that  I  never  wrote  this  letter — 
I  could  swear  it  is  her  handwriting." 

"  Impossible,  your  Excellency  !  impossible  T* 

"  Well,  how  did  you  come  by  it  ?" 

"  My  own  daughter  handed  it  to  me  as  soon  as  I 
returned  from  Windsor,  whither  I  had  gone,  ex- 
pecting to  join  you." 

"Ha !  that  is  why  I  did  not  see  you  when  I 
visited  Hartford.  And  this  keeping  you  out  of  my 
sight  was  of  course  part  of  Miss  Lydia's  scheme 
to  prevent  your  telling  me  what  you  knew  about 
her  parent." 

"  But  surely  Captain  Synnot  brought  your  Ex- 
cellency my  message  ?  You  knew  the  discovery  I 
had  made?" 

"  That  officer,  brought  me  no  message  at  all 
concerning  the  regicide.  But  I  see  it  now  clearer 
and  clearer.  Miss  Goffe  has  exercised  a  strange 
fascination  over  him,  and  he  has  played  me  false  ; 
but  he  shall  dearly  rue  it — ^3^es,  by  Heaven  he 
shall !"     Here  the  Governor  stamped  his  foot. 

At  that  moment  a  lieutenant  attached  to  the 
frigate  Bose  ran  past,  and  when  ordered  by  Sir 
Edmund  to  halt  and  explain  his  haste,  declared 
that  the  mob  was  increasing  in  numbers,  and  he 
thought  it  pradent  to  get  back  to  his  ship  without 
delay.  The  Governor  ground  his  teeth.  "  But  for 
this  untoward    piece   of  news    about   WilUam   of 


316  ROMANCE   OF   THK 

Orange,"  he  said,  turning  to  Clark,  "  I  would  liAve 
sent  jou  back  with  a  troop  of  horse,  to  take  the 
hoary -headed  traitor,  dead  or  alive — his  capture 
would  be  the  crowning  glory  of  my  administration. 
But  in  the  present  uncertainity,  I  dare  not  lessen 
the  garrison  of  Boston  ;  therefore  return  to  Hart- 
ford and  continue  your  vigilant  watch  over  Goffe, 
and  if  he  dies,  be  sure  and  find  out  where  iliaj  bury 
him  ;  while,  should  the  rumor  of  a  revolution  in 
England  prove  false,  I  will  follow  you  myself  in  a 
very  few  days." 

Mr.  Clark  did  not  appear  altogether  pleased  with 
these  instructions.  What  if  Adams  should  spread 
the  news  that  King  James  was  overthrown  ?  Might 
not  the  people  be  roused  to  such  a  pitch  of  excite- 
ment, as  to  make  it  dangerous  for  one  known  as 
the  shrewdest  and  most  daring  partisan  of  the 
tyrant,  to  be  seen  amongst  them  ?  Nancy's  father, 
however,  gave  no  expression  to  these  fears,  but 
quietly  asked  what  might  be  his  reward  for  having 
found  Goffe. 

"  You  shall  be  knighted,"  replied  Andros  ;  *'  I 
have  influence  at  Court,  and  you  shall  become  Sii 
Nathaniel  Clark." 

At  these  words,  Nancy's  father  stood  more  erect, 
his  heart  was  nigh  bursting  with  exultation.  Yes, 
he  would  brave  Mad  Adams,  and  all  the  disaffected 
spii'its  of  Connecticut  to  obtam  such  a  reward. 


CHARTER    OAK.  317 

"I  will  start  at  once,  your  Excellency,"  he  ex- 
claimed, "  but  where  am  I  to  get  a  horse  ?" 

"  Go  to  my  stable,  and  mount  the  one  which  3'on 
like  the  best ;  there  are  a  dozen  to  choose  from." 

With  this  Mr.  Clark  made  a  low  bow,  and  hav- 
ing expressed  a  hope  that  he  would  soon  see  the 
Governor  in  Hartford,  took  leave,  while  Andros 
made  haste  to  rejoin  his  wife. 

"It  was  a  well -laid  scheme,"  said  Lady  Andros, 
after  perusing  the  forged  letter  ;  "  and  yet,  I  can- 
not blame  Miss  Lydia  for  having  used  deception 
when  her  parent's  life  was  in  jeopardy." 

"  True,"  returned  the  knight,  "  Captain  Synnot 
was  most  to  blame.  It  seems  he  has  known  of  the 
regicide's  hiding-place  these  eighteen  months  past. 
But  he  will  rue  it,  oh,  he  will !  I  have  ordered 
him  to  be  imprisoned." 

"Poor  Henry !"  sighed  Lady  Andros,  "I  knew 
him  as  a  page  at  court,  and  remember  well  the 
pretty  Mary  Churchill  with  whom  he  fell  in  love  ; 
and,  by  the  way,  she  was  a  relative  of  Goffe.  I( 
have  often  wondered  who  it  was  Lydia  reminded 
jci'  of  ;  I  see  it  now,  it  was  Mary  Churchill.  Poor, 
poor  Henry !" 

"Poor  indeed!"  cried  her  husband.  "Do  not 
speak  thus  tenderlj-  of  one  who  has  proved  so 
false ;  he  shall  die  for  this  on  the  gibbet — he  shall, 
by  the  Eternal !  As  for  Lydia  Goffe,  I  will  hold 


318  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

her    a   hostage   for  her   father.      Where  is   she? 
Make  a  prisoner,  too,  of  her.'' 

"I  fear,  Sir,  she  may  be  already  beyond  oiir 
reach." 

"  How,  has  she  fled  ?" 

"  I  caught  but  a  glimpse  of  her  darting  down 
the  staircase  ;  1  called  her,  but  she  seemed  not  to 
hear  me.  Yes,  I  am  sure  she  has  left  my  service. 
And  her  steed,  you  know,  is  swift  as  the  wind  ;  no 
animal  in  your  stable  could  overtake  Puritan." 

While  Lady  Andros  was  speaking,  the  Gover- 
nor's ire  had  gradually  risen  until  he  could  con- 
tain himself  no  longer.  "  Foolish  woman  !"  he 
cried,  beating  his  forehead,  "  oh,  foolish  woman  !  to 
let  her  escape.  Why  did  jon  not  tell  me  of  this 
before?  Shame!  Folly!  Madness!"  Here  he 
threw  open  the  door,  and  in  a  loud  voice  summon- 
ed one  of  the  guard.  "  Mount,"  he  said,  "  the 
fleetest  horse  you  can  find  ;  take  the  road  to  Hart- 
ford and  bring  back  my  lady's  Maid  of  Honor. 
Spare  not  whip  nor  spur,  she  must  be  brought 
back  at  all  hazards,  she  must !" 

The  soldier  hurried  off  to  obey  the  order,  and 
Sir  Edmund  was  about  addressing  his  wife  again., 
when  the  Pequot  thrust  his  head  into  the  room  and 
beckoned  to  her. 

"  Prudence  GarHc/'  said  the  youth  "wants  to  see 
you.  * 


CHARTER   OAK.  319 

"  Impudent  varlet !"  cried  the  Governor,  felling 
the  Indian  to  the  floor.  "  How  dare  you  thus  ad- 
dress her  ladyship?  Ill  have  you  taught  mn li- 
ners !" 

In  less  tlian  five  minutes  Christian  was  on  his 
way  to  prison,  while  Lady  Andros,  glad  of  an  ex- 
cuse to  escape  from  her  husband,  ran  upstairs  to 
see  what  dame  Garlic  wanted.  She  found  the 
goodwoman  packing  the  sheepskin  bag,  and  at  the 
same  time  crying  bitterly.  Charity's  dream-book 
was  wet  with  tears,  and  many  of  that  old  maid's 
visions  were  so  blurred  that  she  would  have  had 
hard  work  to  read  them,  even  with  her  specs. 

"Why  such  grief?"  inquired  Lady  Andros  in  a 
gentle  voice.  "  I  am  truly  affected  to  see  you 
thus." 

"  Bad  news  from  home,"  sobbed  Prudence,  "  aye, 
very  bad  news  ;  and  I  want  to  get  to  Hartford,  as 
soon  as  possible.  But,  oh  dear,  to  think  of  riding 
so  far  on  a  horrid  horse.  I'm  timid — dreadful 
timid.  Would  your  ladyship  be  so  kind  as  to 
procure  me  a  nag  that's  exceedingly  gentle  ?  Let 
him  be  lame,  and  then  he'll  not  run  away  ;  yet  he 
must  not  stumble,  and  above  all  have  the  saddle 
well  fastened  on,  and  if  possible  let  the  girth  be 
bran  new.  I've  known  dreadful  accidents  come 
from  the  girth  breaking."  Here  the  dame  shook 
her  head  and  murmured,  "  aye,  but  for  a  broken 


320  KOMANCE   OF  THE 

girth,  Miss  Lydia  might  never  have  left  Connecti- 
cut to  enter  your  service  ;  oh,  how  mysterious  are 
the  ways  of  Providence  !" 

Lady  Andros  smiled  and  assured  her  that  she 
should  have  a  horse  exactly  to  her  taste,  and  that 
moreover  she  might  travel  under  charge  of  the  post- 
man,  who  was  to  set  out  on  the  morrow  for  Hart- 
ford. 

"But  can  I  have  no  other  escort?"  continued 
Prudence.  "  Think  of  the  wild  beasts  on  the  lonely 
high  road  'twixt  here  and  there." 

"  Well,  I  fear  Sir  Edmund  cannot  spare  any 
soldiers.  The  news  of  the  landing  of  William  of 
Orange  in  England  may  bring  on  a  revolt  against 
his  authority,  and  he  will  have  need  of  every 
trooper." 

"  Alas,"  sighed  the  dame,  "  then  I  must  be  con- 
tent to  travel  with  only  the  postman  and  Chris- 
tian." 

"  The  latter  has  been  sent  to  prison,  and  so  has 
Captain  Synnot,"  pursued  Lady  Andros ;  then 
lowering  her  tone,  "  my  husband  has  likewise  given 
orders  for  Miss  Lydia  to  be  arrested.  Lideed  I 
hardly  think  he  will  even  allow  you  to  quit  Bos- 
ton." 

"  Good  God,  what  has  happened  ?"  exclaimed 
Prudence,  clasping  her  hands  aud  turning  deadly 
pale.     "  Oh  Lydia,  Lydia,   what  have  you  done  ? 


CHARTER  OAK.  321 

Has  the  secret  escaped  ?  But  your  steed  is  swift ; 
they  cannot  overtake  you  ;  you  will  reach  Hart- 
ford in  time  to  warn  the  people  !"  Then  sinking 
iown  on  the  sheepskin  bag,  "  who  wonld  have  be- 
lieved it,"  she  cried,  "  who  would  have  believed  it ! 
It  all  comes  from  that  fatal  meeeting  in  the  forest ! 
Oh,  Lord  pardon  me,  I  did  not  do  my  duty  that 
night!" 

Lady  Andros  pressed  her  to  explain  what  she 
meant,  but  the  goodw^ife  rocking  to  and  fro,  sobbed 
and  moaned,  and  beat  her  breast  until  tired  of 
waiting  for  her  to  speak,  the  other  left  the  room. 


CHAPTEE    XLVL 

As  soon  as  Lydia  reached  her  own  apartment  in 
the  Governor's  mansion,  she  lost  not  a  moment 
burning  the  letters  which  Nancy  Clark  and  Israel 
Barebones  had  written  to  her,  then  without  taking 
time  to  change  her  habit,  or  even  to  speak  a  part- 
ing word  to  Goody  Garlic,  hastened  off  to  the 
stable.  On  the  wa^^  she  passed  through  the  mob, 
which  was  still  shouting,  "  Long  live  William  of 
Orange  !"  and  in  the  midst  of  it  she  recognized  the 
hostler  who  had  the  care  of  her  steed.  Seeing  the 
fellow  in  such  company,  and  judging  from  bis  ap- 


322  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

pearance  that  he  had  been  imbibing  soniewhat 
freely  of  liquor,  she  thought  it  best  to  dispense 
with  his  services,  and  accordingly  waving  him 
away,  proceeded  on  to  the  stable  without  him.  Nc 
sooner  did  she  enter  Puritan's  stall,  than  the  noble 
animal  began  to  paw  and  neigh,  as  if  he  knew  she 
was  going  to  try  his  mettle  ;  but  what  increased 
his  restlessness  was  that  her  lover's  horse,  which 
he  nearly  always  accompanied,  had  left  the  stable. 
As  the  girl  stroked  his  mane,  she  began  to  reproach 
herself ;  "  Oh,  why,"  she  said,  "  did  I  not  urge  Henry 
to  mount  Puritan.  He  then  would  have  been  per- 
fectly safe  from  pursuit."  At  the  same  time  Lj^dia 
wondered  Avhere  Christian  could  be  ;  the  youth 
had  always  aj^peared  whenever  she  had  needed 
anything — why  was  he  not  there  to  put  on  the 
saddle  ?  *'  But  perhaps,"  she  thought,  "  he  may 
have  accompanied  Heniy ;  pray  God  it  may  be  so, 
for  those  two  \>  ould  be  a  match  for  half  a  dozen 
red  coats." 

Great  was  her  relief  when  in  about  a  quarter  of 
an  hour,  she  found  herself  beyond  the  city  limits 
and  on  the  highway  to  Connecticut,"^  nor  did  she 
draw  rein  until  she  had  gone  full  ten  miles,  when, 

*  The  route  taken  by  Lydia  Gaffe  was  by  way  of  Dedham, 
VVreutbatu,  and  Plaia field  to  the  Weathersfleld  ferry.  It  was 
aauch  shorter  than  that  followed  by  Audros— through  Proyi 
dence  and  New  Loudoa, 


Cti\RTEn  OAK.  323 

feeling  thii'sty,  she  stopped  at  a  log  cabin  for  a 
drink  of  water.  The  man  who  drew  the  bucket 
from  the  well,  reminded  her  not  a  little  of  Adams  ; 
he  had  the  same  black  twinkling  eyes,  and  shaggy 
beard,  and  much  too  of  Simon's  curiosity,  for  as  he 
approached  with  a  gourd  lull  of  tbe  chrystal  fluid, 
he  eagerly  asked  what  was  the  news.  "  A  fellow," 
said  he,  "who  stopped  here  about  half  an  hour 
ago,  toki  me  there  was  likely  to  l^e  great  trouble, 
as  there  was  a  rumor  that  the  King  had  been  de- 
throned.    Is  it  true  ?" 

Having  given  what  little  information  she  pos- 
sessed on  the  important  subject,  Lydia  anxiously 
inquired  what  sort  of  person  it  was  who  had 
stopped  there. 

"  lie  was  an  ugly  looking  chap  with  grizly 
beard  like  my  own,"  replied  the  woodman,  "  and 
seemed  at  first  quite  irritated,  when  I  told  him  I 
kept  nothing  stronger  to  drink  than  water." 

"  Well,  did   any  one  else  ride  past  ?  an  officer— 
or  a  squad  of  soldiers  ?" 

"  Yes,  lady,  there  was  somebody  else,  but  who 
I  really  couldn't  say ;  being  a  piece  back  in  the 
woods,  I  only  heard  the  clatter  of  hoofs." 

Lydia  now  continued  her  journey,  her  cheek 
flushed  with  excitement,  and  her  mind  filled  with 
apprehension  for  her  lover,  whom  she  would  almost 
as  soon  have  had  fall  into  the  hands  of  Andros  as 


324  ROMANCE  OF  THE 

meet  Simon  Adams  in  such  a  wild  tract  of  country 
as  she  was  passing  through.  The  only  thing  which 
cheered  her  was  the  hope  that  Synnot  had  not 
gone  off  unarmed,  and  that  the  Pequot  might  be 
with  him.  As  Puritan  flew  along  she  strained  her 
eyes  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  Simon,  whom  she  con- 
fidently hoped  was  not  far  ahead. 

"If  I  can  only  overtake  him,"  she  said,  "  and  as- 
sure him  that  Henry  is  on  the  way  to  Hartford 
purposely  to  warn  my  father,  he  would  be  ap- 
peased— oh,  no,  he  would  not  harm  Henry  if  he 
knew  the  truth." 

Puritan  seemed  conscious  that  he  was  travelling 
back  to  his  old  home ;  never  had  he  carried  his 
fair  rider  with  greater  speed,  and  in  her  excitement 
Lydia  did  not  feel  fatigue  in  the  least,  indeed  she 
might  have  pursued  her  journey  without  making 
another  halt,  and  perhaps  have  sunk  under  the  ex- 
ertion but  for  the  following  incident.  She  had  just 
entered  a  dense  pine  forest,  when  Puritan  pricked 
up  his  ears  and  gave  a  loud  neigh.  At  once  her 
heart  throbbed,  Lydia  felt  sure  she  was  close  upon 
Adams,  and  while  she  gazed  anxiously  around, 
expecting  every  moment  to  discover  him  emerging 
out  of  the  woods,  she  was  startled  by  the  siglit  of 
a  riderless  horse  galloping  towards  her — it  was  her 
lover's  steed,  and  as  the  animal  wheeled  and  placed 
himself  beside  Puritan,  she  saw  marks  of  blood  oa 


CHARTER   OAK.  325 

the  saddle.  "  Oh,  God  !"  she  cried,  "  I  will  aveDge 
him  !  wretched  murderer  to  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
I  will  dog  you,  and  have  blood  for  blood."  Then 
burying  her  face  in  her  hands,  "  Oh,  if  Christian 
had  only  been  with  him  !"  she  sobbed,  "  Adams 
would  not  have  accomplished  this  wicked  deed." 

Presently  both  horses  came  to  a  sudden  halt, 
and  began  to  snort ;  while  right  in  the  middle  of 
the  road  Lydia  perceived  a  great  pool  of  blood. 
Just  then  a  voice  which  she  had  often  heard  be- 
fore, called  her  by  name  and  who  should  she  see 
issuing  from  the  pine  trees  but  the  widow  Bull. 

"  Miss  Lydia,  Miss  Lydia  !"  exclaimed  the  dame, 
"how  it  cheers  me  up  to  meet  you  once  more. 
But,  Miss  Lydia,  what  an  awful  fright  Nancy  and 
I  have  had  ;  what  an  awful  fright !" 

"  Where  is  he  ?  is  he  near  ?  where  is  he  ?"  cried 
the  girl  in  a  frantic  voice  and  not  caring  even  to 
shake  the  good  woman's  hand. 

"  Adams,"  replied  the  widow,  "  slung  the  body 
across  his  horse,  and  went  off  in  that  direction," 
here  she  pointed  towards  a  narrow  opening  among 
the  pines.  Lydia  was  about  to  follow  the  direction 
of  her  finger,  when  the  widow  seizing  her  bridle, 
warned  her  that  Simon  might  do  her  harm  if  she 
met  him.  "No,  you  must  not  go,"  she  said, 
"  you  must  not  go  ;  he  looked  like  a  wild  beast." 


326  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

"  Nothing  shall  stop  me,"  cried  Lydia,  springing 
out  of  the  saddle  and  darting  forward  on  foot. 

*'  Well,  well,  have  jour  way,  you're  as  stubborn 
as  ever,"  said  the  dame,  "  but  for  the  Lord's  sake 
do  not  venture  far ;  stay  near  enough  for  me  to 
hear  you  call,  and  be  quick,  for  Puritan  won't  let 
me  hold  him  long." 

"  I  will  go  with  you,"  said  a  second  voice,  which 
under  any  other  circumstances  would  have  made 
the  regicide's  daughter  turn  and  smile  ;  but  which 
she  now  did  not  even  seem  to  hear,  although  it  was 
close  by.  "  Stay  calm,"  continued  Nancy,  "  haste 
^ill  do  no  good,  he  is  surely  dead."  Then  in  a 
low,  anxious  tone,  "  tell  me,"  she  asked,  "  did  you 
see  my  father  in  Boston  ?" 

"  Yes,"  replied  Lydia  abruptly,  and  not  trusting 
herself  to  say  more  of  one  whom  she  felt  to  be  the 
cause  of  all  her  woe.  Aye,  but  for  Nathaniel  Clark 
she  would  have  had  no  fear  for  her  parent,  nor 
would  her  lover  have  been  obliged  to  flee  fi'om 
Boston,  and  been  killed  by  a  half  crazy  tavern- 
keeper. 

"How  was  he  when  you  saw  him?"  pursued 
Nancy,  undeterred  by  her  friend's  cold  manner. 

The  other  made  no  resj^onse,  but  hastened  along 
heedless  of  the  branches  which  were  cutting  her 
face,  nor  did  she  stop  an  instant  to  reflect  that 
she  had  no  weapon,  and  that  if  she  were  to  meet 


CHARTER   OAK.  327 

Adams,  she  would  be  powerless  to  wreak  ven- 
geance upon  liim.  At  length  thej  came  to  a  spot 
where  the  underbrush  entirely  disappeared,  and 
where  the  pine  trees  stood  further  apart  as  if  to 
give  one  a  better  view  of  an  enormous  bowlder 
whose  mossy  front,  covered  here  and  there  with 
laurel,  rose  before  them  to  the  height  of  forty  feet, 
and  Lydia's  heart  sickened  as  she  perceived  that 
some  of  the  bushes  had  been  partly  torn  from 
their  roots,  as  if  by  the  hand  of  a  person  endeavor- 
ing to  ascend.  At  the  base  of  the  rock  lay  another 
pool  of  "blood — evidently  the  murderer  had  dragged 
his  victim  here ;  on  the  summit  might  she  not  find 
the  body  ?  Without  a  moment's  hesitation  the 
girl  drew  herself  up,  and  on  gaining  the  top  her 
eye  rested  on  a  long,  narrow  cleft,  whose  depths 
she  knew  must  contain  the  remains  of  her  lost 
Henry.  Trembling  she  bent  down  and  peering 
into  the  cavity,  beheld  indeed  an  upturned  ghastly 
face  ;  but  it  was  not  Synnot,  it  w  as  Nancy's  father, 

"  Oh  God  !  I  thank  Thee !  I  thank  Thee  !  Hea- 
venly spirits  rejoice  with  me  !"  she  cried,  "  rejoice  !" 

Then  overcome  with  emotion  she  sank  down  on 
the  rock.  In  another  moment  her  friend  was  by 
her  side.  Lydia's  joyful  exclamation  had  found  a 
quick  response  in  Nancy's  heart,  who,  like  herself, 
was  crying  out,  "  God  be  thanked — yes,  Heavenly 
spirits  rejoice  with  us,"  and  as  the  young  woman 


328  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

gave  vent  to  lier  joy  she  cast  lier  eyes  into  the 
cleft. 

Presently  a  wild  shriek  rang  through  the  forest. 
The  widow  Bull  heard  it,  and  in  her  fi-ight  nearly 
lost  her  hold  of  the  horses ;  while  a  wolf  that  was 
prowling  near,  sent  up  a  dismal  howl. 

Nancy's  face  was  lying  buried  in  Lydia's  lap, 
when  the  widow,  panting  and  wringing  her  hands, 
arrived  at  the  foot  of  the  bowlder. 

"  Oh  Lord !  I  can't  climb  that,"  exclaimed  the 
latter,  gazing  up  the  steep.  "  Nancy  dear,  Lyddy 
dear,  had  ye  wings  to  get  where  ye  are  ?  Tell  me 
what's  the  matter." 

The  regicide's  daughter  did  not  answer — she  was 
weeping  with  her  friend  ;  but  some  of  Lydia's  tears 
were  tears  of  gladness,  while  Nancy  was  giving 
utterance  to  her  grief  in  piteous  moans. 

"  Every  hand  was  turned  against  you,  but  I  loved 
you,  father — I  loved  you !"  she  cried.  "  No,  no, 
you  were  not  as  bad  as  people  thought." 

"Well,  who's  killed?"  kept  shouting  the  widow. 
"I  say,  why  don't  you  answer?" — and  when  the 
regicide's  daughter  called  down  that  it  was  Mr. 
Clark,  the  dame's  countenance  betokened  unfeigned 
sorrow. 

"  He  had  his  faults,"  she  said,  "  he  had  his  faults ; 
but  he  was  no  believer  in  ducking  stools  and  whip- 
ping-posts, and  there  he  differed  from  Captain  Joe, 


CHARTER  OAK.  329 

aye,  and  from  his  own  cliikl."  Then  raising  her 
voice,  "  Girls,"  she  said,  "  1  give  it  up  !  Ye  must 
have  claws  like  cats  or  wings  like  birds,  to  have 
perched  yerselves  where  ye  be.  But  it  won't  do 
any  good  to  stay  there  ;  if  he's  dead,  he's  dead,  and 
it's  what  we  all  come  to  at  last !"  Here  she  pulled 
the  old  tarred  rope  out  of  her  pocket,  and  gazing 
■fondly  at  it,  "  the  days  of  the  Polly  Ann  will  never 
come  back !"  she  sighed.  "  God's  will  be  done !" 
Then  drawing  her  sleeve  across  her  eyes,  "I'm 
sure,  however,  my  old  man  would  rather  be  whe?'e 
lie  is,  down  among  the  codfish,  than  in  a  rattk  - 
snake  den — ugh !" 

"I'm  afraid,"  exclaimed  Lydia,  addressing  the 
widow,  "  that  even  if  we  could  get  the  body  out, 
we  would  not  be  able  to  bury  it — we  have  no 
epades." 

"  Cover  him  with  stones,"  returned  Mrs.  Bull ; 
"  that  at  least  will  keep  the  wolves  from  eating 
him,  though  it  won't — ugh !"  Here  she  again 
shuddered  at  the  idea  of  rattlesnakes  crawling  ovcjr 
the  corpse. 

Lydia  now  told  Nancy  in  a  gentle  voice  thai 
since  her  father  was  dead,  she  had  better  rejoin 
Mrs.  Bull ;  "  I  will  remain  here,"  she  added,  "  and 
properly  cover  the  body.  Where  could  you  find  a 
better  tomb?" 

"  Thank  you,  thank  you,  Lyddy,"  sighed  the  oth 


330  nOMANCE   OF   THE 

er,  allowing  herself  to  be  drawn  from  the  edge  of 
the  cleft.  "  You  are  the  truest  of  friends ;  what 
would  I  do  without  you?  But  I  will  not  leave 
this  spot ;  no,  I  prefer  to  wait  near  by  till  you  are 
through." 

Nancy  did  remain,  her  face  buried  in  her 
hands;  and  although  she  endeavored  to  calm  her- 
self by  prayer,  she  could  not  stifle  her  sobs  as  she 
heard  the  stones  rolling  one  after  the  other  upon 
the  corpse.  At  length  the  regicide's  daughter  in- 
formed her  that  there  was  nothing  more  to  be 
done,  when  they  both  slowly  descended,  and  join- 
ing the  widow,  wended  their  way  back  in  silence  to 
4he  high-road. 

,  The  horses  were  found  safe  at  the  foot  of  the 
tree  where  Mrs.  Bull  had  tied  them,  but  they  were 
pawing  the  ground  and  neighing  loudly.  "They 
-smell  wild  beasts,"  whispered  Lydia  to  the 
widow. 

"  And  there  are  swarms  ot  them  here,"  returned 
the  latter ;  "  pity  but  we  had  a  stable  to  put  the 
nags  in  for  the  night." 

"Stable!  Why,  Mrs.  Bull,  I'm  going  straight 
on  to  Hartford ;  if  I  can  bear  the  journey,  Puritan 
can." 

"Xou  shall  do  no  such  thing,"  exclaimed  the 
dame  ;  "  indeed  you  shan't.  Why,  you'd  kill  your- 
fielf  with  fatigue.     No,  you  mustn't  do  such  a  maci 


CHAllTER  OAK.  331 

thing.  Take  a  night's  rest  with  ns  in  the  woods ; 
we'll  make  a  jolly  fire,  and  then  you  and  Nancy 
can  sleep  while  I  watch.     Aye,  I'll  do  what  the  old 

man  often    did   on  the  Polly  Ann "  here  she 

closed  one  eye  and  stared  at  Lydia  with  the  other. 
"  One  peeper  rested,"  she  exclaimed,  "  while  t'other 
was  wide  awake,  peering  into  the  darkness,  to 
windward,  to  leeward,  and  at  the  foaming  sea  ahead  ! 
Ah,  there  was  no  eye  like  the  old  man's  eye  !  He 
never  went  ashore,  Miss,  and  he'd  be  sailing  yet  in 
his  staunch  craft  if  a  hurricane  hadn't  swallowed 
'em  both  up." 

A  little  reflection  convinced  fhe  girl  that  the 
dame's  advice  was  wise,  and  that  she  might  really 
make  herself  ill  if  she  continued  the  journey  with- 
out repose  ;  so,  after  giving  a  sigh,  she  promised  to 
remain  with  them  till  the  following  day. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  three  travellers  had  picked 
out  a  convenient  spot  not  far  from  the  road,  but 
on  the  opposite  side  from  that  on  which  Mr. 
Clark's  body  had  been  found ;  then,  having  made 
a  rude  chimney  with  the  stones  lying  near,  Lydia 
and  Mrs.  Bull  began  to  gather  sticks  for  a  fire. 
Nancy  did  not  help  them,  but  sat  at  the  foot  of  a 
lofty  pine,  not  groaning  nor  weeping,  but  silently 
thinking  of  the  dead. 

"None  of  us  have  ever  camped  out  afore,"  said 
Mrs.  Bull  that  evening,  as  they  were  assembled 


332  hoMaKce  of  the 

aroiind  the  cheerful  blaze.  "  Oh,  isn't  this  glorious ! 
ten  thousand  times  better  than  living  in  a  commu- 
nity of  Philistines.  No  ruling  elder  here  to  poke 
his  nose  into  other  folks'  business.     Ha,  ha,  ha!" 

An  owl,  perched  on  a  neighboring  tree,  answered 
her  laugh  by  a  dismal  hoot ;  presently  a  panther 
set  up  a  savage  cry. 

"  Pray  God,"  thought  Lydia,  "  we  may  not  be 
attacked  as  nurse  and  I  were  on  our  journey  down 
the  river.  But  if  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst,  we 
can  do  what  the  good-wife  then  did — climb  a  tree." 
She  did  not  reflect  on  the  great  weight  of  Mrs.  Bull, 
which  would  certainly  prevent  the  latter  from  sav- 
ing herself  in  that  way. 

For  more  than  two  hours  after  nightfall,  Lydia 
and  the  widow  sat  conversing  together,  and  the  girl 
was  informed  of  many  things  which  had  occurred 
during  her  absence  from  Connecticut. 

First,  the  dame  told  how  pleased  she  was  to  find 
her  with  long  hair — a  proof  that  Andros  was  no 
bigot ;  she  thanked  her  for  the  new  copy  of  Shake- 
speare, which  had  afforded  her  and  the  widow 
Japheth  so  much  pleasant  reading;  then,  in  a  lower 
tone,  Mrs.  Bull  went  on  to  speak  of  Wads  worth. 
*'  There  are  some,"  she  said,  "  who  think  he  has 
lost  his  reason,  and  that  he  is  wandering  about  in 
the  forest ;  others  believe  an  evil  spirit  has  pos- 
sessed him.     But  whatever's  the  matter  with  Cap- 


CHARTER   OAK.  333 

tain  Joe,  one  thing  is  certain— he  hasn't  been  to 
his  home  these  eighteen  months.  Yet  he's  aUve— 
yes.  Mad  Adams  declares  he  is,  and  his  Siiadow 
now  and  then  pa}S  her  a  visit,"  here  the  dame 
turned  and  looked  towards  the  figure  sleeping  near 
them.  Then,  with  a  sigh — "  Alas  !"  she  continued, 
"  if  he'd  kept  on  courting  Nancy  Clark  and  married 
her,  he'd  have  been  a  very  different  man,  and  she 
a  very,  very  different  woman." 

"  Poor  Wadsworth  !"  said  Lydia,  as  his  last  de- 
spairing look,  when  she  had  bidden  him  farewell, 
rose  in  her  mind,  "  poor  Wadsworth !  If  the  peo- 
ple had  not  lost  their  courage — if  they'd  kept  on 
the  path  you  had  marked  out  for  them,  you  might 
by  this  time  have  seen  your  dream  come  true.  But 
they  abandoned  you — no  wonder  you  have  left 
them  to  dwell  in  the  wilderness." 

The  conversation  now  turned  on  the  cause  of 
Mrs.  Bull's  leaving  Hartford.  "  You  see,"  pursued 
the  dame,  clenching  her  fist,  "  the  iron  cages  which 
Israel  Barebones  had  ordered  Adams  to  procure, 
came  at  last.  It  wasn't  Simon,  however,  who  got 
'em  ;  and  hearing  that  they  were  going  to  put  me 
in  one  of  'em,  I  resolved  for  the  first  time  in  my 
life  to  scud ;  and  I  am  now  in  search  of  a  commu- 
nity where  more  liberal  opinions  prevail.  I've 
heard  say  that  in  Rhode  Island  there  are  still  a 
good  many  folks  imbued  with  the  sentiments  of 


334  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

Roger  Williams,  and  in  that  colony  I  may  conclude 
to  make  a  new  home.  But  I  am  going  first  to  Bos- 
ton, to  see  if  things  are  any  better  under  the  im- 
mediate eye  of  Andros,  who,  though  he  is  an  Angli- 
can, and  believes  in  candles,  crosses,  and  stained 
windows  for  meeting-houses,  yet  is  far  from  being 
such  a  Philistine  as  Israel  Barebones." 

"  Well,  the  ruling-elder  never  was  a  favorite  of 
mine,"  put  in  Lydia,  "  yet  I  can  forgive  him  much 
for  his  charity  to  the  widow  Japheth." 

"Bah!  Miss  Lyddy,  it  isn't  charity  that  makes 
him  send  her  corn  and  clothe  her  children  ;  it's  re- 
morse, black  remorse,  that  does  it.  But  for  him, 
her  husband  would  be  alive  to-day ;  it  was  perse- 
cution broke  poor  Jacob's  heart,  and  caused  him  to 
fall  an  easy  prey  to  death." 

"Well,  how  is  Tom  Hubbard?"  pursued  the  girl, 
who  was  anxious  to  hear  about  all  her  friends — 
"  and  Dorothy  Philbrick  ?" 

"Both  uncommon  well  and  hearty,  and  brag 
of  you  immensely,  for  they  say  'twas  you  saved 
the  Charter.  Aye,  Dorothy  and  Tom  have 
grown  fat  in  spite  of  Mr.  Barebones,  who  follows 
'em  everywhere,  and  who,  I've  heard  say,  caught 
'em  kissing  among  the  huckleberrj^  bushes.  Ha, 
ha!  what  an  infernal  old  fool  that  Israel  is  1  Does 
he  think  the  rules  of  the  church  can  hinder  human 
nature  sproutin'  out  ?     No  more  than  I  could  keep 


CHARTEE   OAK.  335 

a  piece  of  sparrow-grass  from  comiii'  up  b}''  sittin' 
on  it.  I  saj  kissin*  is  no  sin,  and  young  folks  '11  do 
it  to  the  end  of  time." 

At  length  Lydia  grew  tired  of  talking,  and 
stretching  herself  beside  Nanc}',  sought  the  repose 
she  so  much  needed  ;  while  Mrs.  Bull  kept  the  fire 
blazing,  and  whenever  sleep  threatened  to  master  the 
dame,  and  she  found  her  head  nodding,  she  would 
rise  to  her  feet  and  think  of  how  often  the  old  skip- 
per had  stood  by  the  helm  of  the  Polly  Ann  through 
the  long  night-watches — "And  I'm  his  widow,"  she 
would  say  to  herself,  "  and  I'll  keep  awake  too." 


CHAPTEK  XLVII. 

The  sunbeams  were  streaming  through  the  pine 
trees  when  Lydia  awoke,  feeling  chilled  and  hun- 
gry, and  after  warming  herself  by  the  fire,  which 
had  been  kept  burning  all  night,  she  gladly  par- 
took of  the  bread  and  cheese  which  her  friends 
had  brought  with  them. 

It  seemed,  indeed,  a  very  frugal  meal  to  one  who 
had  been  leading  such  a  luxurious  life  in  Boston ; 
but  it  was  better  than  nothing,  and  refreshed  her 
so  much,  that  when  she  had  finished  she  declared 
slie  was  ready  to  continue  her  journey.     "  I'm  go- 


336  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

ing  back  fco  Hartford  with  you,"  said  Nancy,  as 
Lydia  was  putting  the  saddle  on  Puritan  ;  "  I  will 
never  part  from  you  again.  God  sent  you  to  com- 
fort me  during  my  hours  of  trial.  No,  I  cannot 
live  without  you." 

"  Ha !  don't  say  you'll  never  part  from  her," 
whispered  Mrs.  Bull.  "  'Twon't  be  long  afore  she's 
married  to  that  gallant  on  the  staff  of  His  Excel- 
lency ;  aye,  Adams  has  told  me  all  about  it.  And 
you,  dear — you'll  find  a  husband  somewhere.  I'll 
make  it  a  business  to  hunt  one  up ;  although  I  con- 
fess 'twon't  be  any  easy  thing  to  do,  for  'tain't  every 
man  that's  worthy  of  you." 

"  That  is  never  to  be,"  replied  Nancy,  in  a  low 
but  firm  voice  ;  "never,  never  to  be." 

"What  can  she  mean?"  thought  the  widow, 
looking  in  wonder  at  the  pale  face  by  her  side ; 
then  bursting  into  a  laugh — "  Ha,  ha  !  did  taking  a 
husband  ever  damn  a  woman's  soul?  No,  Nancy, 
two  ships  in  company  are  better  than  one — we 
can  fetch  the  port  of  Zion  far  easier  if  we're 
spliced,  than  if  we  sail  along  by  ourselves." 

To  this  the  young  woman  made  no  response,  but 
turning  away,  was  about  to  join  Lydia,  when  the 
dame  caught  her  by  the  sleeve.  "  Stay,"  she  cried, 
"  don't  take  offence  at  anything  I  said.  You're  too 
humble;  but  I  vow  you're  good  enough  for  any 
man.     However,  since  you  wish  it,  I'll  not  speak 


CHARTER  OAK.  S37 

ftnother  word  about  matrimony,  bat  talk  only  of 
myself.  And  now  let  me  inform  you  that  I'm  go- 
ing back  with  you  and  Miss  Garlic.  I  shan't  scud 
a  mile  further.  No,  I'll  'bout  ship,  face  Israel 
Barebones,  the  ducking-stool  and  the  iron  cage, 
and  if  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst,  I'll  go  down 
with  colors  flying." 

"Oh, yes, do  return  with  us,"  exclaimed  the  regi- 
cide's daughter,  who,  having  saddled  both  horses, 
was  impatient  to  be  off.  "  Something  tells  me  the 
news  of  a  revolution  in  England  is  true.  Hence- 
forward the  people  will  give  their  thoughts  to  po- 
litical matters,  and  such  fanatics  as  Israel  Bare- 
bones  will  not  be  listened  to.  So  do  come  back, 
Mrs.  Bull— do." 

"  A  revolution  in  England !  Why,  'tis  the  first 
I've  heard  about  it,"  said  the  widow. 

"Yes,  King  James  is  dethroned,  and  has  been  suc- 
ceeded by  William  of  Orange ;  at  least  such  is  the 
rumor." 

"  And  no  d  ubt  the  people  are  in  ecstasies  over 
it?" 

"  They  are,  indeed." 

"  Oh,  Wadsworth  !"  murmured  Nancy,  clasping 
her  hands ;  "  when  this  news  reaches  you,  'twill 
bring  little  joy.  Alas !  'tis  not  what  you  have  been 
longiug  for.  But  in  the  course  of  time  your  dream 
will  come  true — these  colonies  will  one  day  owe  al- 


legiance  to  no  earthly  king — thej  will  be  free  and 
independent." 

Lydia  now  brought  Mr.  Clark's  horse  close  to  a 
fallen  tree,  where,  after  much  puffing  and  with  the 
help  of  Nancy,  the  widow  managed  to  get  on  his 
back;  then,  having  made  her  friend  mount  Puri- 
tan, the  regicide's  daughter  sprang  up  behind,  and 
in  this  manner  they  took  their  course  for  the 
Wethersfield  ferry. 

That  night  was  spent  in  a  deserted  cabin,  and 
towards  sunset  the  following  day  they  entered 
Hartford. 

"  The  Philistines  have  been  looking  for  me,"  said 
Mrs.  Bull,  as  they  rode  past  her  cottage.  "  Ah, 
the  wretches  !  they've  broke  opeii  the  door  and 
window;  but  I'll  never  turn  my  back  on  them 
again!     By  all  the  sharks,  never  !" 

When  they  went  by  Nancy's  old  home  the  young 
\voman  turned  her  face  away — she  had  not  the 
nerve  to  look  at  it.  Oh,  what  memories  crowded 
upon  lier  at  that  moment !  As  for  Lydia,  she 
looked  neither  to  the  right  nor  left,  but  strained 
her  eyes  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  roof  which  shel- 
tered her  father. 

A  little  ways  beyond  the  green  they  met  Tom 
Hubbard,  Dorothy,  and  Faith  Genness — the  latter 
weeping  bitterly. 

No  sooner  did  Tom  and  his  swieetheart  recognize 


CHAllTEli   OAK.  339. 

the  pai'ty,  than  tliej  set  up  a  sliout  of  joy  which 
might  have  been  heard  at  the  other  end  of  the  town. 
But  Faith  did  not  appear  to  notice  them,  and  the 
regicide's  daughter  was  wondering  what  could  be  the 
cause  of  her  grief  when,  happening  to  gUmce  in  the 
direction  of  the  stocks,  who  should  she  see  fastened 
I  here  by  his  wrists  and  ankles  but  the  lad  wdth  the 
moon  face,  who  was  calling  out,  "  don't  cry  dear, 
don't  cry  ;  I'm  as  well  off  here  as  if  I  was  choppin' 
wood  for  Pop." 

Having  shaken  hands  with  their  friends,  the 
travellers  passed  on  and  were  soon  in  front  of  the 
Bunch  of  Grapes,  where,  standing  beneath  the 
sign-board,  was  a  man  whose  countenance,  the 
moment  he  recognized  them,  became  illumined  by 
a  smile.  .    ., 

"God  be  praised  !"  exclaimed  Israel  Barebones, 
*'God  be  praised!  the  cage  will  not  stand  empty 
next  Sabbath."  Then  clasping  his  hands  :  "  An  d 
as  I  hve,"  he  continued,  "if  there  isn't  Miss  Lydia 
Garlic  come  back  too  !  She  w^as  a  sabbath-breaker 
as  well  as  the  widow  Bull,  and  a  giver  of  scandal, 
and  lo !  her  sinful  curls  have  grown  out  again. 
But  they  shall  not  be  tolerated ;  I  will  see  that  the 
law  is  enforced." 

"Aye,  such  long  hair  inviteth  damnation,"  re- 
marked Mr.  Philbrick.  .,,.,, 

"  And  'tis  strange,"  put  in  Mr.  Hubbard,  "  that 


340  ROMANCE   OF  THE 

Nancy  Clark  should  be  found  in  such  company. 
Alas  !  I  fear  she  is  relapsing  into  sin." 

The  regicide's  daughter  did  not  mean  to  stop 
and  speak  with  any  of  the  group,  and  had  almost 
gone  past  when  the  tall  woodman — the  same  whom 
she  had  met  during  her  first  ride  with  Wadsworth, 
two  years  before — rushed  out  of  the  Ordinary  and 
grasping  her  bridle,  cried,  "  what  news  ?  what 
news  ?  Tis  long  since  I've  seen  you.  Surely  you 
must  bring  news." 

"  I  do,"  replied  Lydia,  "  and  if  it's  oidy  true  I 
know  your  heart  will  beat  for  joy  ;  for  my  part  I 
believe  it."  At  these  words  a  crowd  gathered 
about  her,  nor  was  Puritan  allowed  to  go  another 
step  until  she  had  told  them  of  the  rumor  that 
James  II,  had  been  dethroned,  and  that  William 
of  Orange  had  succeeded  him.  "  Andros,"  she  de- 
clared, "  is  not  likely  to  remain  peaceably  in  Bos- 
ton.    There  was  great  excitement  when  I  left." 

Here  a  number  of  caps  were  tossed  into  the  air, 
and  a  loud  cheer  was  given,  after  which  the  people 
withdrew,  and  she  was  allowed  to  continue  her 
way.  It  did  not  take  her  long  to  reach  Wads- 
worth's  abode,  where  in  a  trice  she  slid  off  her 
horse,  and  without  knocking  threw  open  the  door. 
But  her  foot  had  scarcely  touched  the  threshold 
when  she  was  confronted  by  the  Captain  of  the 


CHARTER   OAK.  841 

farain-band.      Her   appearance  seemed   to    startle 
"Wads  worth. 

"  How  is  father  ?"  she  exclaimed,  without  wait- 
ing for  him  to  open  his  Hps.     "  How  is  father  ?" 

"  Too  late,"  he  groaned,  "  too  late  !  but  come  in 
and  I  will  tell  vou  all  about  it."  With  this  Wads- 
worth  took  her  hand  and  led  her  towards  the 
study  ;  but  before  she  reached  it  Miss  Crabtree 
came  rushing  down  the  staircase,  and  throwing  her 
arms  around  the  girl's  neck  burst  into  tears. 
Lydia  somewhat  rudely  broke  away  from  her,  then 
pointing  towards  the  outer  door  where  Nancy  and 
the  widow  Bull  still  remained  seated  on  their 
horses,  she  followed  Wadsworth  into  the  library. 

"  Yes,  your  father  is  dead,"  said  the  Captain, 
when  he  had  closed  the  door  and  motioned  her  to 
a  seat.  "  But,  Miss  Goffe,  we  must  all  die  sooner 
or  later.  Do  not  mourn  for  him,  if  ever  there  was 
a  good  man  he  was  one." 

During  the  next  half  hour  nothing  broke  the 
stillness  of  the  room  but  the  girl's  sobs,  while  her 
host,  with  folded  arms  and  head  bowed  on  his 
breast,  paced  back  and  forth. 

At  length   Lydia  looked  up    and    asked   to  be 
shown  her  parent's  grave.      Wadsworth,    turning 
upon  the  girl  his  cavernous  eyes,  which  still  re- 
tained something  of  their  ancient  fire,  answered 
"  I  swore,  Miss  Goffe,  to  guard  the  regicide  when 


342  ROMAKCE   OP  THE 

alive,  and  now  that  he  is  dead,  no  one  sliall  disturb 
his  bones.  It  would  not  have  been  safe  to  place 
him  near  our  meeting-house,  so  I  have  buried  him 
in  the  cellar — ^I  left  my  retreat  in  the  forest  on 
purpose  to  do  this — there  let  your  father  rest  in 
peace." 

Presently  Nancy's  voice  was  heard  in  the  next 
room,  and  without  asking  permission  of  her  host, 
Lydia  called  her  friend  into  the  library— and  there 
they  passed  the  whole  day  sorrowing  together. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

Lydia,  the  widow  Bull  and  Nancy  Clark,  now 
found  themselves  all  three  Wadsworth's  guests, 
and  two  days  after  their  arrival  they  were  joined 
by  Goody  Garlic,  whom  Lady  Andros,  true  to  her 
promise,  had  sent  off  in  charge  of  the  postman. 
The  accounts  which  the  dame  brought  of  the  con- 
dition of  affairs  in  Boston  were  very  exciting,  and 
the  townfolks  who  called  upon  lier  all  went 
away  filled  with  gladness  at  the  prospect  of  a 
speedy  deliverance  from  the  tyranny  of  Sir  Ed- 
mund. In  fact  during  the  whole  of  that  week  and 
the  next  nothing  was  talked  of  in  Hartford  but  the 
change  in  the   government.      Stocks,   cages   and 


CHARTER   OAK.  343 

wHipping-posts  were  forgotten,  and  the  rulLng- 
ekler  finding  himself  suddenly  abandoned,  gave 
way  to  groans  and  prayers.  "  The  spirit  of  Beel- 
zebub," he  would  say  to  himself,  "  hath  possessed 
the  whole  community ;  oh  Lord,  deliver  them  from 
his  clutches." 

As  for  .Wadsworth,  he  did  not  show  himself 
once  among  the  town  folks  ;  but  they  had  become 
so  used  to  his  absence,  that  they  no  longer  asked, 
"  where  is  Captain  Joe."  Even  at  home  he  was 
rarely  seen.  Occasionally  Miles  Standish  would 
scratch  at  the  outer  door  for  admittance,  and  on 
being  let  in,  would  run  up  to  Nancy,  lick  her  hand 
a  moment  then  again  whine  to  be  let  out. 

Thus  matters  went  on  until  the  twentieth  of 
April.  The  regicide's  daughter  had  been  little 
more  than  a  fortnight  in  Hartford,  and  now  to  her 
grief  for  her  father's  death,  was  added  intense 
anxiety  about  Henry  Synnot,  on  whom  Andros 
might  already  have  wreaked  vengeance.  At  length 
one  evening,  just  as  the  sun  was  sinking  below  the 
horizon,  a  couple  of  horsemen  came  riding  along 
the  street  shouting  :  "  hurrah  !  long  live  William  of 
Orange  !"  The  cry  was  answered  by  a  score  of 
freemen,  who  immediately  forced  Christian  to  rein 
in  his  steed,  and  impart  the  glad  tidings  that  Sir 
Edmund  was  a  prisoner  in  the  fort  at  Boston,  and 
that   James    the    Second    was  really   dethroned. 


B44  BOMANCE  OF  THE 

Presently  the  bells  of  both  meeting-houses  rang 
out  joyous  peals,  the  street  was  filled  with  people 
congratulating  one  another  on  the  happy  change 
and  although  many  recognized  in  Christian,  the 
same  Pequot  whom  they  had  once  expelled  from 
the  town,  they  greeted  him  warmly  and  even 
craved  pardon  for  ever  having  entertained  un- 
just suspicions  of  him.  Doubtless  the  reader  has 
already  guessed  the  name  of  the  other  horseman, 
who,  unlike  his  companion,  did  not  allow  himself  to 
be  stopped,  but  dashed  on  until  he  reached  Wads- 
worth's  abode,  on  the  threshold  of  which  he  caught 
sight  of  Lydia,  about  to  sally  forth  to  discover  the 
cause  of  the  bell  ringing.  We  shall  not  attempt  to 
describe  the  feelings  of  the  lovers  as  they  met. 
Nancy  stood  by,  no  trace  of  joy  on  her  counte- 
nance, but  with  the  quiet  subdued  expression  of 
one  resigned  to  God's  will. 

"  He  was  a  gallant  old  soldier,"  said  Synnot, 
when  Lydia  told  him  of  her  father's  death ;  "  a 
gallant  old  soldier  !  Henceforward  may  I  never 
defend  any  cause  but  that  of  liberty,  which  was  so 
dear  to  his  heart." 

In  a  few  minutes  Christian  came  up  followed  by 
a  noisy  crowd,  among  whom  you  might  have  recog- 
nized Israel  Ba*rebones.  But  the  hearts  of  all 
were  too  elated,  to  pay  any  heed  to  the  goodman's 
attempts  at  an  exhortation,  and  nobody   chided 


CHARTER   OAK.  3i5 

Faith  Geiiness  and  Dorothy  Pliilbrick,  who  began 
openly  praising  Lydia's  curls.  Nor  was  the  widow 
Bull  slow  to  perceive  the  change  which  had  come 
over  the  people,  and  drawing  from  her  pocket  the 
old  tarred  rope,  she  cracked  it  above  her  head  and 
at  the  same  time  produced  her  new  copy  of  Shakes- 
peare, which  she  brandished  in  the  face  of  the 
ruling  elder.  "  God  bless  WilHam  of  Orange  !"  cried 
the  dame.  "  He'll  give  us  religious,  as  well  as  poli- 
tical liberty.  By  all  the  sharks.,  here's  an  end  of 
cages,  ducking-stools,  and  whipping-posts;  and  now 
We'll  kiss,  and  dance,  and  read  what  books  we  like." 

Nobody  appeared  to  notice  her,  however,  except 
Mr.  Barebones  who,  wdth  clasped  hands  was  mut- 
tering a  prayer  in  her  behalf  ;  the  eyes  of  all  were 
turned  upon  Lydia,  Captain  Synnot  and  Christian. 
Many  were  laughing,  others  crying  for  joy.  Sud- 
denly there  was  a  movement  in  the  crowd,  which 
opened  and  there  passed  through  a  figure  with  a 
steeple-crowned  hat  draAvn  low  over  his  brow ;  at 
his  heels  followed  a  dog.  The  poor  creature 
seemed  fagged  out ;  you  might  have  thought  it 
had  eaten  nothing  for  a  week. 

"  Joe,"  said  Miss  Crabtree,  "  Joe  !"  But  he  paid 
no  attention  to  her  voice. 

"  Don't  trouble  him,"  whispered  Goody  Garlic, 
seizing  her  fiiend  by  the  arm,  "  don't  trouble  him  ; 
he'll  get  over  his  gloomy  fit  by-and-by.     Oh,  yes, 


346  ROMANCE   OF   THE 

he'll  smile  and  clap  his  hands  as  much  as  any  of 
us,  when  he  hears  that  the  revolation  in  England 
is  a  fact."  But  there  was  that  in  Wads  worth's  ex- 
pression which  had  frightened  his  aunt,  and  break- 
ing away  from  Prudence  she  followed  him  into  the 
house.  She  went  first  of  course  to  the  library, 
and  on  receiving  no  answer  to  her  knock  opened 
the  door,  but  to  her  surprise  found  that  he  was  not 
there.  She  then  hastened  up  to  the  second  story, 
and  searched  for  him  in  his  bedroom,  then  in  her 
own  apartment.  "Joe,"  she  kept  crying,  "  Joe  !" 
but  still  no  answer  came.  At  length  she  entered 
the  chamber  occupied  by  Miss  Goffe  and  Goody 
Garlic,  and  lo !  what  did  she  behold  !  Seated  in 
the  ancient  chair  where  his  father  and  grandfather 
had  breathed  their  last — motionless,  with  hands 
pressed  together  in  the  attitude  of  prayer,  his  jaw 
slightly  fallen,  and  gazing  at  her  with  the  look  of 
death  was  her  nephew.  Miles  was  staring  at  him. 
Did  the  faithful  creature  know  what  had  happened? 
Perhaps  it  did,  for  as  the  aunt  shrieked,  it  set  up  a 
doleful  howl. 

In  a  moment  Lydia,  followed  by  Synnot,  Nancy 
and  Goody  Garlic,  made  her  appearance ;  then 
came  all  the  rest  of  the  people  with  Israel  Bare- 
bones  at  their  head.  A  cry  of  horror  rang  from 
cellar  to  garret.     Presently  Adams  rushed  in. 

"  Make  way,"  he  cried,  "  make  way !     Let  ma 


CHARTER  OAK.  347 

Speak  to  him."  Then  approaching  his  o!d  leader, 
Simon  bent  down  and  gazed  at  him  in  silence.  "  No, 
no,"  he  muttered,  after  satisfying  himself  that  the 
vital  spark  had  fled,  "  I  won't  speak  to  him,  he 
wouldn't  hear  me."  At  these  words  a  tear  trickled 
down  the  weather-beaten  face  of  the  faithful  scout. 

*'  Ye  have  lost  a  great  man  !"  he  said  at  length, 
turning  to  the  multitude,  "  Ye  have  lost  a  gxeat 
man!  Hartford  will  be  nothing  without  him.  I 
will  never  live  here  again.     Never,  never  !" 

With  this  he  seized  Miles  Standish  in  his  arms 
and  rushed  out  of  the  room. 

*'  Yes,  he  was  a  great  man,"  responded  Israel 
Barebones,  slowly  shaking  his  head  and  wiping 
his  eyes,  "  a  great  man  and  he  shall  have  a  glorious 
epitaph." 

"  Let  me  write  it,"  exclaimed  Lydia,  "  oh  do, 
and  I'll  forgive  youi'  fanaticism  ;  let  me  write  Wads- 
worth's  epitaph." 

"You  shall.  Miss  Goffe,  you  shall;"  answered 
the  ruhng-elder,  "  he  thought  the  world  and  all  of 
jou." 

It  was  late  in  the  evening  before  the  crowd  left 
the  house,  and  as  Mr.  Barebones  passed  out  the 
regicide's  daughter  placed  in  his  hand  a  slip  of 
pm^or — and  he  promised  to  have  the  words  it  con- 
tained carved  upon  the  tombstone. 


348  EOMANCE  OF  THE 

That  night  all  the  house-hold  slept  but  one — she 
sat  watching  by  the  dead. 

•*  They  called  him  a  visionary,"  said  Nancy  as 
she  gazed  on  the  marble  face  ;  "  some  even  thought 
he  was  possessed.  But  he  has  gone  before  One 
who  will  judge  him  with  justice  and  mercy.  Oh, 
Wads  worth,  Wads  worth,  if  in  spirit  you  fell  from 
your  high  resolve,  the  God  of  all  goodness  has  for- 
given you.  Your  vow  was  more  difficult  to  keep 
than  Jephtha's  vow,  and  Satan  tempted  you,  as  he 
did  not  tempt  the  ruler  of  Israel !" 


There  is  another  grave-stone  by  the  Old  Meeting- 
House,  with  these  words  carved  upon  it  : 

"In  Memory  of  Joseph  Wadswobth," 
«*Many  years  Captain  of  the  Hartford  Train-Band." 
«*  Translated  20th  day  of  April,  in  year  of  grace  1689." 
"Aged  32." 

"Here  lies  one  who  lived  too  soon  j"" 
•*A  later  age  shall  see  " 
•*  The  daring  Vision  of  his  soul," 
••Turn  into  Prophecy." 

••William  of  Orange  long  may  reign,** 
"And  other  kings  succeed," 
*  But  in  the  end  from  England's  rula  ** 
•;  -'    ^  ■^^.     "  His  people  shall  be  freed  I" 


CHARTER  OAK.  349 

Lydia,  before  quitting  Hartford,  never  to  return, 
Sngered  with  Henry  Synnot  by  this  new  grave,  and 
at  the  head  of  it  planted  an  evergreen  tree  which 
Israel  Barebones  promised  to  watch.  "  While  I 
live,""  he  said,  "uo  axe  shall  touch  it.  'Twill  often 
make  me  think  of  Captain  Joe." 

Goodwife  Garlic  and  Mrs.  Bull  attached  them- 
selves thenceforward  to  the  regicide's  daughter, 
who  in  less  than  a  year  became  Lady  Synnot — for 
on  the  death  of  his  brother,  Henry  had  inherited 
the  baronetcy — and  they  all  went  to  dwell  in  York- 
shire, England. 

In  vain  Lydia  strove  to  persuade  Nancy  Clark 
to  accompany  them  ;  the  young  woman  shook  her 
head  and  murmured,  "  I  cannot  leave  my  dead." 

True  to  her  promise  she  never  moved  away  from 
the  settlement,  and  to  the  wonder  of  everybody 
took  up  her  residence  in  the  Wadsworth  mansion, 
where  she  and  Charity  Crabtree  dwelt  together  in 
harmony  many  years. 

From  having  once  hated  Nancy,  the  aunt  now 
gave  her  all  her  affection :  "  She  was  Joe's  first 
love,"  the  dame  would  murmur,  "his  first  love.** 
While  Nancy  bestowed  on  Miss  Crabtree  more  than 
a  daughter's  care,  and  through  the  trying  period  of 
dotage,  became  Ukea  parent  to  the  helpless  old  soul 
—reading  over  and  over  again  to  her  the  time-worn 
manuscript    which    contained  the   record  of  her 


350  ROMANCE   OP   THE   CHAIiTER   OAK. 

dreams,  and  listening  with  patience  to  her  childish 

prattle. 

******** 

The  oak  on  Wylljs'  hill  carrie-d  the  charter  safe 
in  its      bosom     until  the  year  1715,  when  Lady 
Synnot  wrote  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut,  tell- 
hig  him  where  the  precious  instrument  might  be 
found. 

The  tree  was  still  flourishing,  when  news  of 
the  battle  of  Bunker  hill  spread  through  the  land. 
And  it  is  related  that  while  the  men  of  Hartford 
were  assembled  on  the  square  in  front  of  the  court 
house  (the  old  meeting-house  had  long  disappear- 
ed) to  enroll  themselves  in  the  continental  army,  a 
youth  whose  features  bore  a  striking  resemblance 
to  the  Tom  Hubbard  of  our  narrative,  his  cap 
adorned  by  a  black  cockade  and  an  eagle  feather, 
called  their  attention  to  a  gravestone,  the  last  which 
the  enterprising  spirit .  of  the  age  had  suffered  to 
remain  there  ;  then  bending  down,  he  read  aloud 
the  epitaph  carved  upon  it,  and  when  he  had  fin- 
ished, exclaimed,  "  verily,  this  Joseph  Wadsworth 
was  a  Prophet " 


FINIS. 


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